Paper Trails acquires Maine-based Local Economy Payroll
Paper Trails, a Maine-based payroll and HR services company, is excited to announce that we’ve acquired Local Economy Payroll, a trusted family-run company based in Portland. This article will walk you through what this acquisition means for the small business community in Maine.
The legacy of Local Economy Payroll
For years, Local Economy Payroll has been a wonderful source of support for small businesses. Founded by Tom Gangewer and Jim Belanger, the company had a simple mission: make life easier for small business owners in the state. With over 50 years of combined accounting experience, Tom and Jim helped countless Maine businesses handle their payroll smoothly and affordably. Now, as they plan for retirement, they’ve chosen Paper Trails to carry on their legacy.
At Paper Trails, we work tirelessly to help small businesses overcome their payroll, HR, and compliance challenges. We know the fears and frustrations that come with managing payroll—especially when you’re also trying to run a business. That’s why we’re thrilled to take on the responsibility of continuing the great work Tom and Jim started.
Why this acquisition matters
If you’ve been a client of Local Economy Payroll, you might be wondering how this change will affect you. The short answer? It will be seamless. Paper Trails has been serving Maine businesses since 2004, and we share the same commitment to personalized, high-quality service that Local Economy Payroll has always provided. In fact, we’re working hard to make sure you feel supported every step of the way.
We are welcoming Local Economy Payroll employees, Abbey Gangewer and Brittany Wezner, to the Paper Trails team. They’ll continue to serve their clients, meaning you’ll see the same friendly faces and enjoy the same excellent service, but with even more resources at your disposal. What is even more exciting is the fact that at Paper Trails, we use the same payroll sofware, isolved HCM, that Local Economy Payroll previously used. This means no learning curve for businesses impacted by this acquisition.
Between the use of the same payroll software and the addition of your account representative to our team, we at Paper Trails feel that your business will not experience any hiccups during this transition period.
Paper Trails: A local partner you can trust
Paper Trails is not a faceless corporation. We’re a Maine-born company with offices in Kennebunk and Topsham, and our team of 17 payroll and HR experts live and work here in Maine. We understand the local business environment and the unique challenges you face.
Our recent acquisition of Local Economy Payroll allows us to expand our services to even more businesses across the state. We’ll continue to offer the same trusted payroll services that Local Economy Payroll clients have relied on for years, while also introducing new resources, like training on Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) requirements, additional safety and security protocols, and an ever-growing suite of tools for HR compliance.
A smooth transition for Local Economy Payroll clients
We know change can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to something as crucial as payroll. That’s why we’ve created a smooth transition process for all Local Economy Payroll clients. We’ve built a custom welcome website (www.papertrails.com/localeconomy) with resources designed to make the switch as easy as possible.
The welcome kit includes everything you need to know about Paper Trails, where Local Economy clients can log in, resources we make available to you, guidance on handling common HR issues, and contact information. Our goal is to give you peace of mind so you can focus on what really matters—growing your business.
What’s next?
As Tom and Jim enter retirement, Paper Trails is excited to take over where Local Economy Payroll left off. We are honored to have been chosen to continue their legacy and help even more Maine businesses succeed. We’re committed to being more than just a payroll company—we want to be your partner in navigating the complex world of HR and payroll.
If you have any questions or concerns about this transition, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help. At Paper Trails, we believe that small businesses are the backbone of our communities. And with this acquisition, we’re more dedicated than ever to helping those businesses thrive.