The Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission will award Damariscotta, Newcastle, Somerville and Wiscasset grants of $1300-$2000 as part of its Assistance with Specific Know-how program.
Damariscotta will receive $2000 to study funding options for improvements to the municipal parking lot, including the option of a pay-for-parking system.
Newcastle will receive $1300 as initial funding for a re-design of the town website.
Somerville will receive $2000 for engineering services to develop a five-year road improvement and maintenance plan.
Wiscasset will receive $2000 to compile market data to support the town’s business attraction goals.
ASK grants require a local match.
The planning commission established the ASK program this year “to provide small awards to municipal projects” to pay for “preliminary engineering, economic research or other activities to help communities address barriers or obstacles that prevent solving or completing important municipal projects,” according to the announcement.
Funding priorities for the initial round of grants include business attraction or retention, public infrastructure, and local health and safety issues.