We were pleased to see such extensive coverage of the Welcome to Downtown L-A event for Bates College students held Aug. 25.

The event sent an important message to our newest residents – namely, that we welcome them and appreciate their stay in our community. That sentiment applies equally to students, traditional and non-traditional, who attend our other institutions of higher learning. In fact, similar orientation programs are being planned for other local schools.

Indeed, that the community held such a successful downtown orientation program is in large part due to the hard work, persistence and resourcefulness of a young Bates College student named Minh Le. Minh was a work-study student at the Growth Council last semester. He was asked to create a plan to get students aware of our community’s renaissance and what might appeal to young people in downtown L-A.

Minh’s enthusiasm and detailed planning culminated a few short months later in our hosting 400 first-year students, taking them on a walking tour of various downtown establishments. Thanks to the students of all L-A’s educational institutions for making our community richer and more diverse.

Paul Badeau,

marketing director,

Lewiston-Auburn

Economic Growth Council