GARDINER -- City officials are holding a mass ribbon-cutting Thursday to recognize a dozen new or expanding businesses in town.

Jason Simcock, director of the city's planning and development department, said the event will showcase some of Gardiner's most creative entrepreneurs.

"The mix of new with existing businesses brings a great variety of services to the area and maintains Gardiner as a service center and destination for the region," he said.

The tour will begin at noon at Sportsman's Bows Arrows Rods & Reels, 39 Main Ave. Mayor Andrew MacLean will perform a ribbon-cutting in front of each business.

Sarah Fraser, executive director of Gardiner Main Street, said for years city officials held ribbon-cuttings when businesses opened their doors.

"Whenever a new business opened, we'd do a ribbon-cutting; but that fell to the wayside," Fraser said. "Looking at all the businesses coming in, it's a reason to celebrate. It's to support the businesses and thank them for coming to Gardiner."

Rachel Waterbury, the owner of R&B Dance Company, 293 Water St., said she chose Gardiner for her dance school because she liked the community.

She said the celebration on Thursday is a wonderful opportunity for business owners to meet each other.

"There's a lot of businesses out there I didn't even know existed, though they're just a couple of minutes' walk away from me," said Waterbury, who lives in Portland.

Steve Casey, who owns The Depot at 14 Main Ave., said owning a pub next to Water Street and the Kennebec River "creates a magical place to do business."

Fraser said these businesses helped restore the old brick buildings in the downtown area and created jobs. Casey, for example, employs 10 people.

"It's really showing movement and hopefully encourage new businesses to relocate and open up in Gardiner," Fraser said. "This has been one of the worst economic years, so this is pretty impressive."

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com