Lincoln County has entered into a Regional Broadband Partners Agreement with Maine Connectivity Authority. Under the agreement, Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission will join Sagadahoc and Knox county officials supporting towns with regional broadband infrastructure activities and “digital inclusion.”

The MCA was established in 2021 as a quasi-governmental agency charged with achieving universal access of affordable high-speed broadband in Maine. The MCA has awarded federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars assisting communities in expanding their broadband network capabilities. But the Regional Broadband Partners Agreement is taking a different tact. 

The grant provides Lincoln County with $234,000 for implementing local residents’ accessibility to internet functions. LCRPC Executive Director Mary Ellen Barnes said the grant is for one year, but could be extended into a second year, if the partnership accomplishes their goals.

“The state really wants to strengthen the whole digital inclusion efforts which is about helping people learn how to use their computers and phones for trainings, schooling and telehealth. This is what the grant is primarily about,” Barnes said. 

The grant provides funding for hiring staff to train residents at local libraries, adult education, Spectrum Generations, and community centers. The partnership’s first Lincoln County hire is Brandon Look. He works part-time in the county Emergency Management Agency. Commissioners authorized expanding his hours to full-time so he can join the regional effort. 

The partnership will also assist unserved broadband households in applying for grants for broadband connection. County Administrator Carrie Kipfer said the program would assist residents in applying for a monthly subsidy paying their broadband costs.

In other action, commissioners agreed to an “outline” of an agreement between LCRPC and Maine Department of Transportation. County Planner Emily Rabbe said under the 2023 contract’s proposed framework, the planning commission would receive $16,500 for work in five categories. The tasks include general technical assistance and municipal outreach, active transportation and complete street technical assistance, comprehensive planning technical assistance, climate change mitigation adaption and resilience planning assistance, and special appropriation technical assistance.

She further explained what role the commission would play. “So if there is a question or a way for us to be a liaison between municipalities and DOT on projects ongoing in certain towns, it will allow us to do that. It will also fund another year of providing technical assistance for road surface and management sign software. So towns that didn’t sign up in 2022 can sign up in 2023,” she said. 

Another service provided under the agreements calls for the commission to help towns considering pedestrian and cycling initiatives. Current projects include working with Damariscotta’s public safety group on those; Wiscasset’s comprehensive plan chapter for transportation; and Bristol’s and Damariscotta’s transportation subcommittees. 

Commissioners voted 2-0 to authorize a $5,000 broadband grant for Bremen. The town’s current broadband investment includes a $120,000 ConnectME grant and $600,000 worth of work by Lincolnville Communications to install a fiber network. Barnes estimated 97% of Bremen had access to a broadband fiber network. LCI is seeking a ReachME grant to connect 12 more households. 

Barnes reported the project’s estimated cost is $120,000. Bremen has committed $5,000. LCI has committed $5,000. “Bremen has really been a leader in finding solutions in becoming a 100% covered town. Twelve households is a small number, but they are 12 unserved households. (Bremen addresses) affordability issues for residents, and in some point in time will allow them have a public hot spot,” Kipfer said. 

The county grant is dependent of Bremen and LCI receiving a ReachME grant.

Barnes also delivered an interim housing report compiled by Camion Associates. In August, commissioners agreed to have the Saratoga Springs, New York firm do a county-wide assessment on housing supply and demand, town-by-town profiles, and an analysis of how new state legislation would impact local ordinances. The interim report focused on data analysis covering important trends such as seasonal population, short term rentals, dichotomy of income versus housing expenses, and other demographic information. 

Commissioners will review the interim report and may ask questions at a future meeting. County officials expect the complete survey in late February. 

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 3 in the courthouse.