Spring 2023 Assistance with Specific Know-How (ASK) Grant Program
For the Spring 2023 round of the ASK Grant Program the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission (LCRPC) plans to award up to five (5) grants this spring for municipal and/or community projects in need of specific technical assistance, such as preliminary engineering/design, economic research, architectural or environmental planning, for example, that will help solve a municipal issue or complete an important town project. The awards will range from $250 up to $2,500. Proposals are due Friday, March 31, 2023. Learn more here!
(Read More)Housing Legislation - L.D. 2003
L.D. 2003 is An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions. The bill was passed by the State Legislature and signed by the Governor in April 2022. The law went into effect July 27, 2022, however, a majority of the bill’s requirements do not take effect until July 1, 2023. The Commission was established under LD609 and provided 9 recommendations to increase affordable housing that was intended to address the shortage in Maine.
(Read More)Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Webinar Series
The Maine Municipal Association and the Governor’s Infrastructure Implementation Committee are holding a series of informational webinars on funding and program opportunities for Maine communities from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) from January 5 to March 2, 2023
The series will be of particular interest to officials from municipal, county, and tribal governments in Maine, as well as staff from regional planning organizations and other local technical assistance groups. Each session will cover a category of BIL investment, review current projects, explain funding processes, and highlight available and upcoming BIL programs.
The topics addressed during the hour-long session will include transportation, broadband and technology, energy programs and building efficency, and resilience and environmental protection.
(Read More)Community Resilience Partnership
The Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF) program, The Community Resilience Partnership, is heading into it's second year! Lincoln County currently has 2 towns enrolled (Monhegan Island and Westport Island) with 4 more underway. Southport, Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay, and Wiscasset are currently in the process of enrolling in the Partnership with the assistance of their Service Provider.
To learn more about The Community Resilience Partnership, check out our webpage!
(Read More)DEP Stream Crossing Grant Announcement
Maine DEP is administering $3 million dollars from the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan for a single round of grant funding in 2022 to assist municipalities with stream crossing upgrades and replacements. The RFA opened August 18, 2022, with proposals due by November 10, 2022.
Since 2015, Maine voters have approved a total of four bonds that fund the upgrade and replacement of stream crossings throughout Maine. These monies support the DEP's competitive grant program that matches local funding for the upgrade of municipal culverts at stream crossings to cost-effectively improve fish and wildlife habitats, reduce flooding, and increase community safety.
(Read More)County-wide Housing Study
Housing is such an essential part of our lives -- as families, as communities. Lincoln County’s limited housing stock and housing costs have been challenged by several major factors: coastal issues of second-home retirement (long-term); short-term rentals (since 2010 or so); competition for workforce housing; and a lack of public infrastructure, especially inland.
Since 2017, the County has been an increasingly unaffordable place to live and in 2021 became the most unaffordable county in Maine for homeownership according to MaineHousing. Rents are unaffordable – as they are throughout much of Maine, and have been so in Lincoln County since 2000 (per MaineHousing data).
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County's Broadband Deadline is Nov. 28
Here is Lincoln County's Broadband Investment Process and Application Form. This application can be used for the Connect The Ready or ReachME grants. The next deadline to submit to the County for match for the ReachME Grant Progam is Monday, Nov. 28.
The funds will go to match municipal financial committment as part of a state or federal grant application that will provide or improve broadband service to un- and under-served locations.
The Lincoln County Commissioners recently allocated $1.5 million of the County's American Rescue Plan funds to support local broadband infrastructure projects. Improving broadband service was one of the top priorities expressed during the County's public meetings in 2021.
Applications must be emailed to mbarnes@lcrpc.org. For more info, please call 882-5983 or email mbarnes@lcrpc.org.
(Read More)Comprehensive Plan Update
Congratulations to Nobleboro on the approval of their Comprehensive Plan that has been found to be consistent with the Growth Management Act! The Town Committee is now working toward public conversations about the Plan in time to submit for town approval by the spring.
Read more for an interview with Nobleboro Comprehensive Plan Update Committee Coordinator, Marianne Pinkham.
(Read More)Food Resources in Lincoln County
Finding it hard to keep up with area food resources? Below you'll find an updated Food Pantry Calendar and the new USDA Food Box Program for seniors.
There is a new position in Lincoln County -- Food Security Community Connector -- part of Healthy Lincoln County. Jess Breithaupt is our Connector, helping people sign up for SNAP benefits, deliver pantry boxes to people with transportation barriers, and more!
Please email or call Jess:
975-6201
jbreithaupt@healthylincolncounty.org.
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LCRPC 5-Year Strategic Plan
LCRPC's Strategic Plan provides a set of specific priorities and actions to benefit Lincoln County communities. Here's a link to the Five-Year Plan This guiding document was created by a dedicated committee of the LCRPC board (representing a variety of towns) that met every 2 weeks for 8 months.
The Plan will help LCRPC staff create yearly work plans, formulate budgets, assess progress, and be effective in creating positive change for Lincoln County towns, residents, and businesses.
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