AUBURN – The good news: Pine Tree Society has acquired Auburn’s Pathways Inc., preserving 40 jobs and ensuring critical services for people with disabilities.

The better news: Company officials say the move allows them to immediately expand into the Lewiston-Auburn area, bringing services that include children’s case management, speech therapy and assistive technology programming.

“It has been in Pine Tree Society’s strategic plan to develop satellite locations to more effectively serve people in need and this acquisition is a major step toward fully achieving that goal,” said Noel Sullivan, president and CEO. “All of Pathways’ 40 jobs were preserved, and plans are already in motion to improve and expand programming.”

The expansion, according to a news release, has allowed the Pine Tree Society to add an early learning center, day programs for adults and seniors and an employment program.

The acquisition, a first for the Pine Tree Society, brings its total number of employees to 88 at four locations. The merger, company officials say, allows for greater efficiencies, which will mean more money going directly to program impact versus overhead.

Pine Tree Society is 80 years old and serves people with disabilities statewide from offices in Rome, Scarborough and Bath. According to a news release, its strategic growth plan includes expanding access to services through satellite locations.

“Lewiston-Auburn rose to the top as an underserved area,” according to the release.

The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Pathways is at 589 Minot Ave. and had a staff of 30 full-time employees and 10 part-time workers before the acquisition.