The Lincoln County Development Corporation announced April 19 that a $3,000 ASK (Assistance Seeking Know How) grant that Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor sought had been accepted. The effort was spearheaded by the Boothbay Region Joint Economic Development Committee.

According to JDEC member and Boothbay Harbor Selectman Wendy Wolfe, the funding will support engaging a consultant to assist the region in assessing and developing a strategic plan for improved “wayfinding” — a marketing term which refers to information systems that guide people through a physical environment and enhance their understanding and experience of the space — and signage in the region to promote a better visitor experience.

In layman’s terms, the JEDC wants people to make the right-hand turn off Route 1 and see what the Boothbay region has to offer and know where to look.

“The grant is designed to assist with small budget activities to promote economic activity,” Wolf told her fellow selectmen during an April 25 board meeting. “The wayfinding does include Southport, Boothbay Harbor and up to Boothbay. This would include Edgecomb, too, if the Edgecomb folks are interested in participating in this, which I hope they will.”

Under the conditions of the ASK grant, the applicant must provide an equivalent match amount to qualify. The $3,000 will be matched through equal contributions from Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor. Both the Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor boards approved the matching funds. In her comments to the board, Wolf was pleased with the strides the JEDC is making and specifically the progress on wayfinding, a cause she has long championed.

“Wayfinding and signage has been an issue that we've talked about a lot for a long time. This is a way to have some expert guidance to coordinate the regional approach. It frankly gives us some help to get the process to completion,” said Wolf.

In other JEDC action, the group is exploring ways to coordinate regional events with Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ popular “Gardens Aglow,” which is scheduled for November 18 through December 31 this year.

“We're hoping people who come to Gardens Aglow will come down to the rest of the peninsula to avail themselves of businesses and opportunities,” said Wolf.

The event drew an estimated 36,000 visitors last year.

Formed in August 2015, the Joint Economic Development Committee has been meeting twice a month to develop a coordinated, strategic regional approach to local economic and community development. In addition to the appointed members, JEDC meetings include two representatives from Southport and several local business owners who regularly attend as interested volunteers.