Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission

06/08/2026

Day 1 in Tulsa, Oklahoma is in the books! Emily, our Executive Director, is visiting for the National Association of Regional Councils 60th Annual Conference.

So far, Emily got her kicks on Route 66, including having the tires of the rental car playing Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” (it’s a real thing and it’s amazing!); visited the Greenwood District, historically known as Black Wall Street; and spent time at The Gathering Place, one of the premier parks in the Country. Privately funded, The Gathering Place is over 65 acres and offers a boat house, gardens, and play areas.

06/08/2026

As part of the Wood Build Maine Conference, Alex shares that it was wonderful to see Caroline Pryor and Parlin Meyer from Zero Energy Homes speak. ZEH is a new home manufacturer we are thrilled to have in Lincoln County, now based in Wiscasset!

Alex also enjoyed seeing Fritz Freudrnberger, Lincoln County resident and Department of Forestry communications officer.

06/07/2026

Alex, our economic and community development planner attended the Wood Build Maine Conference at Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment in Freeport on Friday.

The conference was hosted by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry; the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development; and the Maine International Trade Center. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, which DACF Commissioner Beals is Board President, sponsored the event.

Attendees included home builders, architects, land trusts, lumber companies, and many other wood product manufacturers. The program was part of a partnership with Finland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, who sent a delegation of 9 wood products representatives to learn about Maine’s forest and wood manufacturing sector and to explore possible partnerships. The conference was based on Wood Build Finland. “Finland is the happiest place in the world. I think wood has something to do with that”, said Commissioner Beal

89% of our state is forested. Commissioner Beal explained that wood is renewable and durable, and that we have much more opportunity to use more Maine wood locally.

There are 4,568,213 acres of conserved land in Maine. The day’s discussions were about innovation and also preserving our forestry heritage.

Alex attended to learn about state level considerations and strategies, and to explore potential opportunities for Lincoln County businesses and other companies that might consider making Lincoln County a future home.

Thanks to all who made this incredible opportunity possible!

06/06/2026

It wouldn't be June in Maine without a visit to take in the lupines at the Hay Conservation Recreation Area in Bremen!

In addition to enjoying the scenery, Erin (our Land Use and Transportation Planner) met with the chair of the Bremen Comprehensive Plan Update Committee to talk about transportation and the comp plan process. We're impressed with the amount of work the volunteer committee has made since they kicked off the project in March and the community engagement events they have planned to get public input on the future of Bremen!

06/05/2026

On Thursday evening, staff helped facilitate a visioning workshop for Newcastle residents as part of the Town's 'Newcastle Next' conversation series, which is occurring weekly from June through November.

Robust conversation about what residents want - or don't want - took place. It was a great display on why it's important to attend community meetings so your opinion is heard.

Are you a Newcastle resident and looking to participate in the 'Newcastle Next' series? Contact the Town Office to sign up for their email distribution list.

We share more about our thoughts on community engagement and how Lincoln County communities have been encouraging dialogues on today's blog post. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.lcrpcmaine.gov/post/talking-about-the-future-newcastle-next

06/05/2026

Please join us and Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust on Tuesday, 6/16 from 4-6PM to learn about vegetation management for your property and community. Snacks will be provided!

06/03/2026

Amazing work, Annie!

Annie Watson’s work reflects the resilience, stewardship, and community spirit at the heart of Maine agriculture. As an organic dairy farmer at Sheepscot Valley Farm, she has paired hands-on farming with statewide leadership, supporting Maine’s dairy industry and rural economy while remaining deeply connected to the land she works on every day.

We’re proud to recognize Annie as part of the Year of the Woman Farmer in Maine 2026. 🐄🌾

Photo of Annie, courtesy Down East Magazine, Photographer Tara Rice.

06/02/2026

On the first Monday of each month, our economic and community development planner, Alex, pulls together the directors of Lincoln County-based Chambers of Commerce and Business Association to foster stronger relationships and to explore collaborative opportunities.

Thanks to Christa Thorpe from the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce for hosting Brie DiPerri from the Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce, Lisa Walby from the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, Jen Merritt from the Waldoboro Business Association, and Alex yesterday, for another robust discussion.

If you haven’t met these incredible folks yet, we encourage you to attend a business-after-hours for any one of these organizations as soon as possible! Check out their websites for details about those events and other information about their members, today!

06/02/2026

Please support @ by participating in their food drive tomorrow, Wednesday, June 3rd, from 2PM - 6PM at Maine Tasting Center in Wiscasset!

06/01/2026

Thanks, The Lincoln County News for covering the big news that we'll be receiving the Rural Achievement Award from the National Association of Regional Councils next in Tulsa, Oklahoma! Emily, our Executive Director, will also be speaking at their conference.

You can also follow us on Instagram as we're now active again on that platform! (lincoln_county_planning)