AUGUSTA – Gov. Paul LePage and Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner George Gervais announced Monday the next round of Maine cities and towns earning business-friendly status.

The five communities selected from a group of seven in the second round of the Governor’s business-friendly certification program were Lewiston, Auburn, Pittsfield, Cumberland and Westbrook.

“All of these communities are focused on creating a better environment for private sector job growth and driving our economy forward by reducing red tape and being open for business,” LePage said in a statement.”

“Gov. LePage wants to see every Maine community succeed,” Auburn Economic Development Director, Roland Miller said in a statement. “The Governor is recognizing those cities and towns that have put forward a significant effort in making government a good partner for business.”

Two communities, Pittsfield and Cumberland, are successful resubmissions from the first round of certifications.

All nominees were evaluated in several areas including customer service, business involvement and collaboration, public input as well as licensing and permitting.

“Our commitment is to work with any city or town that wants to earn this designation,” Gervais said in a statement. “We want every city and town in Maine to be business-friendly.”

Each community was evaluated on an individual basis by a panel of business and economic development experts which included: Amy Downing, Maine State Chamber of Commerce; John Butera, Sr. Economic Advisor for Gov. LePage; Chris Steele, CWS Consulting Group; Chuck Graceffa, Pierce Atwood; George Gervais, DECD Commissioner; Peter DelGreco, Maine and Company; and Andrea Smith, DECD Office of Community Development.

Communities deemed business-friendly will be presented with a certificate, MaineDOT road sign and will become a key part of Maine’s business attraction strategy. Pittsfield, Cumberland, Westbrook, Lewiston and Auburn join the communities of Augusta, Bath, Biddeford, Brewer, Bucksport, Guilford, Lincoln, Saco and Sanford.