Damariscotta and Newcastle plan to apply jointly for a federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant of up to $10 million.
The towns are going to apply for the grant to fund sidewalk construction from Lincoln Academy to Miles Memorial Hospital and improvements to Damariscotta’s municipal parking lot and the train depot on Academy Hill Road in Newcastle.
The pursuit of the grant “represents another step in terms of our two communities working together for mutual benefit,” Damariscotta Town Manager Matt Lutkus said at the Feb. 15 meeting of the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen.
Damariscotta previously applied for a $1.13 million TIGER grant to fund sidewalk construction on Bristol Road. The town did not receive the grant.
Lutkus and other town employees have since received feedback on the previous application. Lutkus believes the joint application “will have more appeal” as it involves two towns and the proposed project is near “a major coastal route,” Rt. 1.
The joint grant, if awarded, would not require matching funds, Lutkus said.
The TIGER program has $500 million available for the latest round of grants, Lutkus said. “It’s a very competitive process.”
Damariscotta and Newcastle will work with the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission during the application process.
The Damariscotta selectmen approved submitting a letter of intent, an early step in the application process, at the Feb. 15 meeting.
