Waterville Main Street, the blanket organization for all of downtown Waterville's small businesses and local events, has been selected by the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce to receive the 2009 Community Service Project Award.

The award, which the Waterville Main Street website describes as being "presented annually to a nonprofit that enhances community, is good for the economic well-being of the area and encourages further development in the region," will recognize Waterville Maine Street's ongoing effort to promote local economic developments over several years. 2008's recipient was the Waterville Area Humane Society, an organization geared toward animal welfare and rights.

Waterville Main Street's mission is to "advance efforts to develop the downtown area into a thriving, energetic, commercial, social, cultural and entertainment destination." It has been key in executing such events as September's Hill 'n the 'Ville, Harvest Fest, Kringleville and the Farmer's Market. The organization consists of an 18-person Board of Directors (some of whom are Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce award recipients themselves) and four major committees: Economic Restructuring, Promotion, Design and Organization.

In 2001, Waterville was designated as a Main Street community by the Maine Downtown Center and is currently accredited annually by the National Main Street Center, a program supported by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce itself is "dedicated to promoting the free enterprise system, providing membership value and enhancing the economic growth of its members and the region," according to its mission statement. It is known to be the primary advocate on issues concerning both large and small businesses and is recognized and respected by business and political leaders alike. Waterville Main Street is one of last year's eight honorees, the others mostly being individual businesspeople who have served the Waterville community in some significant way. Examples of such citizens are Dan Bickford of Eagle Rental, who is the 2009 Business Person of the Year; John Nale, 2009 Outstanding Professional of Nale Law Offices; and C. Patrick Michaud of Nicholson & Associates, P.A., who won the Rising Star Award.

The Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce awards will be presented to the 2009 winners on Wednesday, March 24 at the Annual Awards Dinner at the Grandeur Sun at Hafford Saloon. The ceremony will consist of drinks at 5:30 pm and a formal dinner at 6:30 pm.