TOPSHAM — Officials told selectmen Thursday that Topsham has been awarded “business-friendly” designation by the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

The DECD’s Certified Business-Friendly Community Program is “designed to recognize Maine communities for their commitment to job creation, reducing red tape and being ‘open for business,’” according to a news release issued when the program began.

John Shattuck, Topsham’s economic and community development director, applied on the town’s behalf in the state’s third application round.

Town Manager Cornell Knight said Thursday he had received word from DECD Commissioner George Gervais, and said a ceremony would be scheduled soon at the State House.

Gervais said in a statement today, “We have notified the town of Topsham of its Business Friendly Community certification and are in the process of contacting the other communities that received this designation in the program’s third round. We look forward to announcing the other winners and the details of a recognition event to be held in their honor in the near future. Topsham has proven itself business friendly, not only through its full-time economic and community development director and its own economic development corporation, but also through its proactive use of TIFs to retain and recruit businesses.”

Topsham is now one of 18 communities with the designation, Knight said. The first nine communities received the certification in June.

Shattuck said today the designation is “certainly something we’ll brag about on our website and let our businesses know when it comes to regulatory programs,” and the affirmative actions the town has taken to help businesses, “Topsham has been assessed and certified as a place where it’s easy to do business.”

Part of the application process required at least three supporting letters from businesses, Shattuck said. In the month the town put together the application, Shattuck said it received eight letters of support. The town was nominated for the designation by the Southern Maine Midcoast Chamber.

According to the DECD website, business-friendly certified communities receive recognition on the DECD website, becomes a key part of Maine’s business attraction strategy, will receive an award presented by the Gov. John LePage; and will receive an “Open for Business” sign.