On Friday, July 31, Lincoln County Commissioners closed on the purchase of a property which will serve as the new home of the county’s regional planning commission.

Meeting at the offices of Soule, Soule and Logan at noon in Wiscasset, commissioners signed for the $140,000 purchase of the building at 297 Bath Road. Located on Route 1 next to the Sea Basket restaurant, the building had been known as the Midcoast Country Chapel.

The need for offices for the regional planning commission occurred when CEI, which has provided space to the commission, announced that it would move to Brunswick in October. Praising CEI as a “fantastic partner with the county,” Mary Ellen Barnes, county economic and community development director, cited the organization’s assistance with space and administrative support over the past 15 years.

The search for new office space began last winter with the commission hoping to remain in Wiscasset because, as Barnes explained: “It is the county seat.” The search included options to either purchase or rent and at one point, the jail area in the Sheriff’s office was considered. The jail was rejected, however, because after the area was checked by an architect the renovation was deemed too expensive.

The former chapel building has approximately 5,000 square feet with space for offices and a large meeting room. The commission hopes that the meeting room will be used by various organizations and groups. The regional planning commission hopes to occupy the space by mid-October. In addition to Barnes, the building will provide office space for Robert Faunce, county planner, and Zach Mosher, community development assistant.

“With the new building in this highly visible location, we look forward to becoming even more of a resource for Lincoln County,” Barnes said.