LEWISTON – Commended for “a simply fantastic application,” the city of Lewiston has been chosen as a finalist for a 2007 All-America City Award.

The contest, sponsored by the National Civic League, recognizes exemplary community vision, collaborative problem-solving and inclusiveness to meet local challenges.

Lewiston was a finalist last year and just missed the “top 10” when the 2006 All-America cities were announced. However, those involved with last year’s application process have been of the mindset that Lewiston has what it takes to “bring it home this year.”

Councilor Norm Rousseau, who participated last year, was all smiles upon hearing about Lewiston’s 2007 finalist standing.

“Again this year, we’ve submitted an exceptional application,” Rousseau said in a prepared statement. “Our residents are becoming increasingly more civic-minded, and the fruits of all their hard work and commitment are what made this application possible.”

Lewiston will join 20 other finalists in Anaheim, Calif., in June to participate in an on-stage competition. During the competition, delegations from each community will present their innovative programs and local solutions to a jury of national business, government, philanthropic and nonprofit leaders. Presentations address a range of social and economic issues, including youth engagement, education, poverty, housing, sustainability, immigration integration and race relations.

The three main projects that will be highlighted during the onstage competition are:

• “Take the Money; You’ve Earned It,” the city’s Earned-Income Tax Credit annual campaign to benefit low- and moderate-income workers;

• Lots to Gardens, community-driven urban gardens improving fresh food access for at-risk populations; and

• Lewiston Youth Advisory Council’s youth engagement, with special focus on its new “U Booze U Looze” youth-to-youth underage drinking awareness campaign.

Lewiston will compete against only one other municipality from the Northeast: Barnstable, Mass.

The last time a Maine city was selected as an All-America City was Auburn in 1967. Other Maine cities that have received the designation are Portland in 1950, South Portland in 1964 and Presque Isle in 1966.