L-A LAUDED FOR GROWTH AND SUCCESS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Paul Badeau
Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council
784-0161
January 04, 2006
The Lewiston-Auburn community received three prestigious awards in late 2005 for their progressive economic development successes, growth strategies, and collaborative relationship.
In September, the Maine Development Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to “sustainable, long-term economic growth for Maine,� bestowed its Champions for Economic Development Award to the Maine cities of Lewiston and Auburn, along with the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council. The award hailed the area’s collaboration in achieving economic development success.
Several weeks later, GrowSmart Maine, a non-profit organization committed to controlling sprawl and advocating for responsible land-use planning, presented Lewiston-Auburn with an award for the community’s smart growth principles.
Finally, the Maine State Chamber granted its President’s Award to both cities for their progressive collaboration and economic and community development initiatives.
The accolades reflect the ongoing economic transformation taking place in Lewiston-Auburn, Maine. One objective measure of success is the state’s own compilation of statewide development projects. That list is maintained by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. The community has recently led the state in development activity. In fact, in Lewiston alone, the tax base for the 2005-2006 tax year has increased by $55 million.
“The Cities of Auburn and Lewiston and their partnership with the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council have a longstanding history of collaboration that has led to tremendous benefits for their residents and businesses in improved services, reduced costs, and economic vibrancy and creativity,” said Laurie G. Lachance, MDF President & CEO.
She added that LA & LAEGC have “truly set the standard for regional cooperation and serve as a role model to communities across the state that are currently working towards creating partnerships within their regions to better serve Maine people.”
“With nearly 25 collaborative agreements and numerous joint agencies in the Twin Cities, the Lewiston-Auburn community is truly a pioneer and a national model for intergovernmental cooperation,” adds Lucien Gosselin, President of the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council. “It is an honor to be recognized by MDF. Our hope is that more communities can see the wisdom of collaboration and combine their strengths and talents in an effort to leverage Maine’s limited resources.”
The Maine Development Foundation is the oldest and one of the most successful statewide public-private partnerships in the nation. MDF was created by the Governor and Legislature in 1978 as a private, non-profit corporation with a broad mandate to promote Maine’s economy. In an effort to drive sustainable, long-term economic growth for Maine, MDF stimulates new ideas, develops leaders, and provides common ground for solving problems and advancing issues.
