FORT FAIRFIELD - I Care Pharmacy was named 2008 Business of the Year during the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner, held March 8 at the VFW.

Open for approximately a year, the company was credited for bringing business and jobs to the community.

“In early 2007, Terry Greenier began his quest to start a mail order pharmacy. By March of the same year, he began to run operations for a troubled mail order pharmacy in Southern Maine,” said Janet Kelle, executive director of the Fort Fairfield Chamber, during her introduction.

Kelle explained that “although under pressure to keep the pharmacy in Southern Maine, Terry knew he wanted to locate his business in his hometown of Fort Fairfield. In April 2007, I Care Pharmacy opened for business ” on Main St., providing jobs for 14 full-time employees.

“When I Care first opened its doors in April 2007, they were filling 1,100 prescriptions per week – less than one year later, that number has increased to over 2,000 per week,” said Kelle.

Greenier accepted the award, crediting his staff for making the business such a success – his staff in attendance.

“Being in business for a year, it’s quite the honor. But I’d like to let everybody know (the business’s) success is based on the staff. If I didn’t have these people working with me, it wouldn’t have been possible,” said Greenier. “We’ve grown together – started out with over 1,100 prescriptions a week and now fill over 2,000.”

Greenier thanked the community for selecting I Care for the honor.

“I have to thank the community, because it’s the community that votes,” he said.

After many years away, Greenier said it was always his dream to return to the town he grew up in – and to be able to give something back.

“Having gone away from here and graduated from here, I got tired of city life and decided to return and do something (for my hometown),” explained Greenier.

Being able to open a business in Fort Fairfield, providing jobs for local people, was a dream come true for Greenier.

“To have the opportunity to return and provide 14 jobs – it was great to be able to give back to the community,” said Greenier, acknowledging his employees’ efforts. “Employees make it possible to be a success.”

Kelle said the future looks bright for I Care.

“With 14 full-time employees, Terry states they are just starting to tap into their potential and within the next three to five years, they plan to increase to 6,000 prescriptions per week,” said Kelle. “It’s with pleasure the Chamber of Commerce recognizes Terry Greenier and I Care Pharmacy as Fort Fairfield’s 2008 Business of the Year.”