Lincoln County commissioners approved an agreement June 17 between Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission and RCAP Solution, which has offices in Worcester, Massachusetts and Portland. RCAP is working with Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor on a 10-11 month economic development plan. 

RCAP is providing technical assistance for its pilot program called RISE (Rural Infrastructure Strengths Evaluation), which has three other participants (Orange, Massachusetts, and Lunenburg and Barton, Vermont). RCAP asked the LCRPC to recommend a Maine coastal community to assist with an economic development study.

Executive Director Emily Rabbe recommended Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor. "The plan will identify what economic development opportunities exist and how to strengthen them," she said. While Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor share several similarities, the study will also address challenges specific to each town. "Downtown parking is a priority for Boothbay Harbor so their study will emphasis that," Rabbe said. "Boothbay doesn't have a parking problem so their emphasis will be workforce housing and future of local schools." RCAP is funded 100% from federal grants, said Rabbe.

In other action, commissioners filled a vacant Two Bridges Regional Jail Authority membership position. Judy Tunkle of Dresden was appointed as a community representative on the 12-person board made up of Lincoln and Sagadahoc county members. Dunkle joins Commissioner Evan Goodkowsky, Sheriff Todd Brackett, Chief Deputy Rand Maker and County Administrator Carrie Kipfer as Lincoln representatives. Sagadahoc also has six members.

Dunkle's first meeting is at 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 9 at the jail. She told commissioners her experience with prisons has been through the ministry, "so the county holding jail is a completely new experience. Prison ministry is something that has been important to me for quite a few years. I think it's important for the community to become involved with incarcerated people and (for) incarcerated people (to) become involved with the community."

Commissioners approved a $3,888 gravel purchase to repair Gore Road Bridge in Hibberts Gore. Kipfer also updated commissioners on the search for a public building site. County officials are planning to move the sheriff's department, emergency management agency and communications center to a new location. The search team is looking for a location near U.S. Route One.  Kipfer told commissioners the search team has located four possible spots. "One is already for sale, so that is easy," she said. "Another is owned by an LLC. Sheriff (Todd) Brackett plans to contact the other two. Once that is done, our architects and project managers can inspect the parcels."

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 2 in the courthouse.