PRESQUE ISLE, Maine, Jan. 28 -- Northern Maine Community College issued the following news release:

MMG Insurance has continued its tradition of support both for the local community and for Northern Maine Community College with a $25,000 donation in support of the College's new wellness and student center project.

"MMG has been a corporate friend of the College and of the local community for many years," said Timothy Crowley, NMCC president. "Not only have they provided financial support for this project and our previous major gifts campaign, but, just as importantly, they have demonstrated their belief in the quality of what we do by hiring NMCC graduates. MMG personnel have also provided invaluable support over the years by serving on College committees and boards."

The College will be breaking ground this spring on a 10,000-square-foot addition to the Christie Building which will house the Rodney Smith Wellness Center, a facility that will benefit both the NMCC campus and members of surrounding communities. Work began this month to prepare for construction on existing space in the Christie and Martin Buildings for the new Akeley Student Center. The space will be a gathering spot for students to socialize, do homework, and access services such as the health center.

"MMG is pleased to be a part of this project," said Larry Shaw, MMG Insurance president and CEO. "Our support is driven by the importance of Northern Maine Community College's contribution to the workforce of our Company and The County overall. We have many graduates who currently work at MMG, and we also utilize the College's expertise from time to time for specific training needs. The added capabilities of NMCC's expansion and its focus on wellness will benefit the Aroostook County region for years to come."

This isn't the first time that the company has provided financial resources to help the College and support the educational efforts of students. MMG donated funds in 2007 to the Campaign for the County's College, a major gifts campaign which took place through the NMCC Foundation. The donation was used to transform a classroom area in the Christie Building into the "MMG Insurance Business Technology Classroom." The renovation included an upgrade of furnishings, wall and floor coverings, lighting, ventilation and technology to replicate, to the extent possible, a modern business office environment.

The company has also endowed a scholarship through the NMCC Foundation. The George W. Scott/Maine Mutual Scholarship is awarded each fall to a student in the business technology department.

MMG Insurance is a property and casualty insurer founded in 1897. The company is based in Presque Isle and has over 110,000 policyholders throughout the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Its products are sold and serviced in partnership with 164 independent agencies located in over 400 offices throughout its five states of operation.

MMG has earned a number of honors in recent years for both their professional performance and their corporate attitude. Among other awards, the company was named Company of the Year for the past three years by the Maine Insurance Agents Association. They were also ranked fourth in the Best Places to Work in Maine in 2011 and in the top five nationwide for ease of doing business by a Deep Customer Connections survey of 7,800 insurance agents.

TNS JB47130202 gv-4190626 61GemaViana