WATERVILLE -- Hard work and moxie have earned Waterville Main Street the Community Service Project of the Year award from the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce.

The honor is awarded annually to a local nonprofit that enhances community, strengthens the economic well-being of the area, and encourages further development in the region.

Waterville Main Street president Patrick Michaud said, "We're thrilled to receive the award, but the credit really goes to Shannon Haines, June L'Heureux and all the committee members and board members that make things happen.

"The city and the community really get a lot out of Shannon's hard work. She really believes in Waterville and what Main Street offers."

According to Michaud, Haines was instrumental in procuring this year's $500,000 downtown revitalization grant through the Community Development Block Grant program. That grant will fund waterfront improvements, the creation of a Downtown Improvement Grant fund, and streetscape improvements.

According to Waterville Main Street and in keeping with the 2001 Waterville Riverfront Master Plan, funds from that grant will be used specifically to raise and provide handicapped access to the Two-Cent Bridge, considered to be the last known toll footbridge in the United States and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Funds will also be used to develop a Head of Trails site for the Kennebec Messalonskee Trails system and to develop walkways that connect the Gateway Plaza to Temple Street and accessible parking. Additionally, the grant will fund facade improvements to businesses and improve aesthetic features of the streetscape within the city-owned parcel of land.

One of Michaud's favorite Main Street projects is Barrels Community Market, which provides the space for local farmers and merchants to get their goods on the market. Many people shop at the market to find Maine-made items not found anywhere else save at farmer's markets.

Waterville Main Street's mission is to develop Waterville's downtown into a thriving, energetic, commercial, social, cultural and entertainment destination.