NEWS RELEASE Contact: Roxanne Eflin, 229-9465

Augusta, ME…The Maine Development Foundation’s Downtown Center presented the 10th annual Downtown Achievement Awards in a ceremony held June 4th during the Revitalizing Maine Communities conference in downtown Augusta.

Terry Ann Stevens, Development Project Manager with the Department of Economic and Community Development, Co-Chair of the Maine Downtown Center Advisory Council and Chair of the Downtown Achievement Awards Committee spoke before an audience of over 200. “We love this part of our annual conference, where all of us have an opportunity to celebrate excellence in downtown revitalization and share our appreciation for those who have worked so hard to make great things happen in their communities.” Eaton Peabody sponsored the awards event, held in the Temple of the historic Masonic Hall on Water Street.

The top award for Downtown Visionary was presented to Michael D. (Mike) Baran, Director of the Maine Office of Community Development. Bill King, Maine Downtown Center Senior Advisor and prior recipient of the award, said of Mike, “(he) is a visionary leader and a firm believer in the power of a strong community. Mike appreciates the role that healthy downtowns play in strengthening community vitality.”

The coveted Main Street Maine Program of the Year award went to Skowhegan whose Board members were honored by a standing ovation. Main Street Skowhegan recently reorganized and strengthened their Board of Directors, committee structure and finances around the core Main Street principals, anchoring themselves firmly to a new vision with new energy and a new professional Executive Director. The first Maine Downtown Network Community of the Year award was presented to Lisbon in recognition of the overall progress made by their Downtown Revitalization Committee.

Thirty Downtown Achievement Awards were presented in a total of 14 categories which also included Outstanding Façade Rehabilitation, Outstanding Historic Preservation/Rehabilitation Project, Outstanding Special Event, Outstanding Image Campaign, Outstanding Window Display, Public/Private Partnership, Outstanding Business Expansion or Recruitment, Community Spirit, Outstanding Main Street Maine
Volunteer and Board members of the Year, and Public Official of the Year.

A complete list of award winners and photos are found on www.mdf.org.

The Maine Downtown Center serves as the statewide coordinator for the National Main Street Program in Maine.

The Center is a proud program of the Maine Development Foundation, a 31 year old private non-profit membership organization, whose mission is to empower leaders, strengthen communities and guide public policy. For more information on the Maine Downtown Center’s mission and programs and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Program for downtown revitalization, please visit www.mdf.org or contact Roxanne Eflin, Maine Downtown Center Program Director, at 207.626.3117 or reflin@mdf.org.
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