Our History
The Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission (LCRPC) was established in 2010 when Lincoln County municipalities teamed up with the County to establish the commission under Maine statutes (MRSA Title 13, Chapter 81, and Title 30-A, Chapter 119, Section 2321). We’ve combined two long-standing county services, the Lincoln County Economic Development Office and County Planning, into one organization.
Our Mission
To provide land use, transportation, economic and community development planning, and related technical assistance to Lincoln County residents, municipal governments, businesses, and non-profits.
Our Vision
Is a strong and sustainable economy, sound land use policies, and a healthy, livable, and safe environment for all.
We Value
Providing sound knowledge on a myriad of topics relevant to Lincoln County, equitable distribution of services across Lincoln County towns, growing connections and networks, building relationships and collaborative partnerships, and working towards equitable access for residents to all aspects of community life.
Our Approach
The LCRPC’s work with towns falls under three major functions: Technical Assistance, Convening, and Communication. Below are services the RPC provides to Lincoln County and its nineteen municipalities. See more about our approach in the Services Provided to Lincoln County Communities document.
How is LCRPC funded?
LCRPC is funded through a combination of county funds and grants received from state agencies such as the Maine Department of Transportation, Department of Conservation, Agriculture and Forestry, and the Department of Economic and Community Development
Lincoln County's History
The County was originally incorporated back in 1760 at the same time as Cumberland County, when Maine was still part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. At that time, Lincoln County extended to the District of Maine's boundaries to the north and all the way east, quite a territory, about 90% of the state.
Today, about 34,000 people live in Lincoln County in the communities of Alna, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Dresden, Edgecomb, Hibberts Gore, Jefferson, Monhegan Plantation, Newcastle, Nobleboro, Somerville, Southport, South Bristol, Waldoboro, Westport Island, Whitefield, and Wiscasset.
Lincoln County (like all Maine counties) is governed by a Board of Commissioners who are elected for four year terms on a partisan basis, by district. Typically, the Chairmanship of the Board is rotated annually. The current Board is William B. Blodgett, Chair, and Hamilton Meserve. The Board of Commissioners has adopted the statutory county administrator plan of government, and the current administrator is Carrie Kipfer.
Originally established to provide certain court, jail and road functions, Maine’s counties have also carried out regional government functions. State law allows counties to partner with municipalities to perform functions that are mutually beneficial to both levels of government, and Lincoln County has taken the lead in doing this with our Emergency Management Agency, the Recycling & E-Waste Program, our County Planner, and the Economic Development Director. The last two programs are now part of the LCRPC.
To contact the Commissioners:
Lincoln County Commissioners
Lincoln County Courthouse
PO Box 249
Wiscasset, Maine 04578
207-882-6311
207-882-4320 (fax)