Portland’s Downtown District (PDD) and Portland Buy Local were recognized for the unique downtown cultural and retail events during a Downtown Worker Appreciation Day event held recently in Skowhegan.

The two local organizations shared the award for Outstanding Special or Retail Event, presented by the Maine Development Foundation’s Downtown Center. PDD Executive Director Jan Beitzer accepted the award on behalf of both organizations.

"We are thrilled that the Maine Downtown Center recognized our collaborative work to thank all the employees and their employers who are so critical to the economic revitalization of downtowns,” said Beitzer.

"Downtown Worker Appreciation Day is at once a celebration of those who choose to work every day in downtown Portland and a valuable promotional opportunity for Portland’s local businesses who are seeking to connect with those workers. It s really a win-win scenario for everyone involved, and we are very happy to help coordinate it," says Susan Tran, President of Portland Buy Local.

The Maine Development Foundation’s Downtown Center serves as the state coordinator for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street program.

Established in 1999, the Center’s mission is to advance preservation-based economic development in Maine downtowns. A member of the Maine Downtown Coalition, the organization works with nine Main Street Maine and 18 Maine Downtown Network communities representing every county in Maine.

The town of Belfast was welcomed to the Main Street Maine community during the June 10 ceremony. Stonington, Bar Harbor, Eastport, Houlton and Van Buren were also announced as the 2011 additions to the Maine Downtown Network, according to a press release.