Voting has been tabulated and once again the popularity of the annual Eagle Choice Awards competition for local businesses is plain to see.
Melissa Carter, advertising director for The Windham Eagle, said the Eagle Choice Awards continue to set new participation records each year. In 2026, more than 11,000 ballots were cast across 93 categories, and she expects even greater participation in 2027.
“This tremendous response each year reflects just how much Lakes Region residents value outstanding service, exceptional products and the businesses that help strengthen our communities,” Carter said. “Because every Eagle Choice vote is cast by the public, these awards are a meaningful way for residents to recognize and thank the local businesses and merchants who consistently go above and beyond throughout the year.”
Kelly Mank, the owner and publisher of The Windham Eagle newspaper, says that the Eagle Choice Awards remain as relevant today as when they first launched and reveal that outstanding customer service and trusted products are not overlooked by the community.
She said the Eagle Choice Awards not only celebrate outstanding local businesses but also introduce community members to hidden gems and trusted favorites they may not have discovered before, inspiring them to explore new connections and support businesses they might otherwise have overlooked.
“It’s all about giving people choices,” Mank said. “The Eagle Choice Awards highlight businesses that have earned the trust and support of the community, making it easier for residents and visitors alike to discover outstanding local businesses throughout the Lakes Region of Maine. Each vote cast this year is a reflection of the public’s confidence in those businesses and the impact they have on our communities.”
Carter said that a few categories for this year’s voting were revised and public input about new categories for voting are always welcomed.
“We do our best to stay as current as possible by adding new businesses to categories and deleting those businesses that are closed,” Carter said. “We welcome feedback to help improve ballot choices for the future. Voters always have the option to write-in a business that is not already listed if that’s what they want to do.”
Eagle Choice Award voters must cast ballots in at least 10 categories or more and must also include their email address when uploading or turning in a ballot for it to be valid and ensure that only one vote is cast by an individual. Email addresses collected during the Eagle Choice Awards competition are not sold or distributed to a third party.
A complete list of 2026 Eagle Choice Award winners is available in The Windham Eagle newspaper’s print edition this week. To suggest a new category for next year, send an email to [email protected]. <
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