Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner George Gervais presented the Cities of Auburn and Lewiston with their “Certified Business-Friendly Community” certificates and road signs on Monday in the Hall of Flags at the State House.

Assistant City Manager Howard Kroll and Economic Development Director Roland Miller accepted the certification on behalf of the City of Auburn. Mayor Robert Macdonald and Economic Development Director Lincoln Jeffers accepted the certification on behalf of the City of Lewiston.

“As certified business friendly, we hope you use the designation in every way to attract businesses to your community,” said Commissioner Gervais at the ceremony. “And we hope you proudly display these signs. You have earned it.

“If the application process made you think, if it made you pause and take a critical look at all areas of your business strategy and examine all the ways in which your community interacts with businesses, then this program has been a success,” Gervais said.

“The City of Lewiston is pleased and thanks the state for recognizing Lewiston’s business-friendly attitude and processes,” say Mayor Macdonald. “We pride ourselves on having a predictable and streamlined development review process, as well as working with developers and businesses to work through challenges and make things happen.”

Chip Morrison, president of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, also spoke at the event about how Auburn and Lewiston work together in attracting businesses.

Since the LePage administration launched the program in March, a total of 18 Maine communities have received the “business-friendly” status. To be certified “business-friendly,” multiple areas of criteria are considered, including customer service, business involvement and collaboration, input from the public and licensing and permitting.

For more information about the Business-Friendly Certification, please visit the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development website at http://www.maine.gov/decd/cbfc/index.shtml.