CARIBOU – U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud was in town Thursday to receive an award for his work to encourage economic development in Maine.

Robert Clark of the Northern Maine Development Commission presented Michaud with the National Association of Development Organizations’ Congressional Partnership Award for outstanding leadership in promoting regional economic development issues.

Clark said Thursday that Michaud was among about 30 U.S. senators and 40 representatives to receive the award. Clark represented the Maine Economic Development District Association, a NADO district, when he made the award presentation.

“This award brings with it an awareness of the issues we have to deal with here,” he said.

Outmigration and economically distressed communities are two major issues that local development organizations address in northern Maine.

“I’m honored and thrilled that this national organization chose me to receive this award for leadership in economic development,” Michaud said.

Michaud introduced legislation this summer to create the Northeast Regional Development Commission, which would provide up to $40 million in funding a year, from 2005 to 2009, to reduce distress and underdevelopment in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.