[December 18, 2012]

The Main Street America Group Donates 2.7-Acre Parcel to Keene State College for Health & Wellness Center

The Main Street America Group has donated a gift of land to Keene State College for the creation of a new health and wellness center which will support the greater Keene, N.H. community.

(from left to right) Keene, N.H., Mayor Kendall Lane, Main Street America Group CEO Tom Van Berkel and Keene State College President Jay Kahn at a ceremony to mark Main Street America's donation of 2.7 acres to Keene State as the site of the school's new health and wellness center. (Photo: Business Wire)

Specifically, the donated 2.7-acre parcel is the super regional property/casualty insurance company's auxiliary parking lot on Gilbo Avenue in Keene. Until construction begins, Main Street America will lease back the land from Keene State so its employees can continue to use the lot for parking.

Keene was the home office of Main Street America until 2005 (when the company redomesticated to Florida) and remains the company's largest facility with nearly half of its 850 employees based there. It is currently the headquarters for Main Street America's New England Region as well as many of its corporate functions.

"Our company has played a key role in the Keene community for 90 years and will continue to be a driver of economic development here," said Main Street America chairman and chief executive officer Tom Van Berkel during a ceremony held at the Gilbo Avenue site to mark the land transfer. "As an organization, we are committed to health and wellness for our employees. A state-of-the-art facility like this will benefit everyone who lives and works in Keene." The health and wellness centr's name will include both Keene State and Main Street America.

Jay Kahn, interim president of Keene State, said, "The Main Street America Group has been a strong supporter of the College over many years and initiatives. This generous gift enables us to move forward on our planning for a health and wellness center on the site. Partnerships among Main Street America, Keene State and the community demonstrated through this gift are extremely important to our College's future and the vitality of our region."

The design of the Keene State health and wellness center will feature a 90,000-square-foot building. The state-of-the art facility will include a 200-meter indoor track and space for academic programs, including athletic training, nutrition and nursing. Kahn indicated construction is expected to begin within the next three to five years.

About The Main Street America Group

With roots dating back to 1923, The Main Street America Group is a super regional insurance company which writes business through nine property/casualty insurance carriers: NGM Insurance Company, Old Dominion Insurance Company, Main Street America Assurance Company, MSA Insurance Company, Great Lakes Casualty Insurance Company Grain Dealers Mutual Insurance Company, Main Street America Protection Insurance Company, Spring Valley Mutual Insurance Company and Austin Mutual Insurance Company. Based in Jacksonville, Fla., Main Street America offers a wide range of commercial and personal insurance, and fidelity and surety bond products to individuals, families and businesses throughout the United States.

With nearly $1 billion in premium written exclusively by 2,000-plus independent insurance agents, the 89-year-old company insures more than 600,000 policyholders in 30 states and writes bonds in 45 states. A.M. Best Company rates The Main Street America Group as an "A" (Excellent). Main Street America is the founding company partner of Trusted Choice®, the global branding program of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. Main Street America is also an investor carrier in the new Consumer Agent Portal. For more information about Main Street America, please visit www.msagroup.com or connect with us on Facebook (News - Alert) at www.facebook.com/MainStreetAmerica.

About Keene State College

Keene State College, based in Keene, N.H., is a preeminent public liberal arts college that ensures student access to world-class academic programs. Integrating academics with real-world application and active community and civic engagement, Keene State College prepares graduates to meet society's challenges by thinking critically, acting creatively, and serving the greater good. To learn more about Keene State College, please visit www.keene.edu.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20121218005193/en/

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