County Commissioners authorized Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission to seek a Maine Sea Grant to partner with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other partners focusing on expanding resilience activities relating to disaster preparedness. On Feb. 21, County Planner Emily Rabbe explained the commission’s role in the project. In 2019, the project was started as a social resilience project studying Bath, Brunswick and other surrounding peninsula towns. Rabbe further explained this grant would build on the previous study.

“The Maine Sea Grant is now looking to expanding their study in Lincoln County and Monhegan Island. The project is still being refined with a goal toward social resilience of Lincoln County by increasing communications between communities and specific sectors responding to storm events,” she said. 

The planning commission would partner with Maine Sea Grant and other state partners involved in mitigating and responding to storm events. The two-year study tracks how local and county agencies react to storm events. Rabbe reported the grant is awarded in November, and the county would receive about $8,000 per year, if the application is successful. 

In other action, commissioners accepted $234,420 in funding for a Maine Connectivity Authority Regional Tribal Partners Program grant. Under the agreement, LCRPC would provide outreach into Lincoln County and serve as a regional partner in Sagadahoc and Knox counties. As a regional partner, the commission will support towns with regional broadband infrastructure activities and digital inclusion.

Under the grant, Lincoln County is responsible for creating local residents’ accessibility to internet functions. The grant provides funding for hiring staff to train residents at local libraries, adult education, Spectrum Generations, and community centers. “A consultant will work with individual towns in advancing their broadband goals and reaching digital equity. The consultant will also train individuals and groups and connect others to state programs making connectivity more affordable,” County Administrator Carrie Kipfer said.