This action was taken following a public hearing on the issue at the commissioners meeting Tuesday, January 21.

Ellen Golden from Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) and Paul Harrison representing the Lincoln County Economic Development Office (LCEDO) requested the commissioners sponsor the application.

The application seeks $200,000 to provide technical assistances to women's businesses and other small businesses, and a $250,000 grant over a five-year period ($50,000 annually)

Both Golden and Harrison agree that only 10-15 percent of this funding is likely to be directed to Lincoln County, which is about $25,000 to 50,000 worth of direct assistance to Lincoln County businesses.

"CEI could go somewhere else for sponsorship, and a good portion of these services will continue to be provided at the same level with or without the county sponsorship," Harrison said. "The county and LCEDO should take every opportunity to support a successful service to the county's businesses. Everyone wins in that scenario," he said.

During the public hearing, the commissioners heard comments from Linda Bragg, a small seasonal business owner in Boothbay Harbor, who owns and operates Calypso, a women's clothing store.

Bragg told the commissioners she has been in business for nine seasons, and plans to open two other stores in the future, one in Lincoln County, and another outside the county.

"The strength we've gained from CEI has helped us achieve the success we have," Bragg said.

"If it weren't for CEI and Janet Roderick (a CEI employee) we wouldn't be here today."

Several members from the CEI advisory committee spoke in favor of the county sponsoring the program.

Terry Stevens, project development officer from the Department of Economic and Community Development, told the commissioners her department gets $17 million per year from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for these grants.

Stevens assured the commissioners her department would work hand and hand with CEI, LCEDO, and the county in the development of the grants.

She said that 51 percent of the grant money must be used for low-income people.

"The low-income threshold is based on the potential business owner, not the average income of the county," Stevens said.

Harrison told the commissioners he himself was skeptical about the benefit to the county and LCEDO, but after a number of work sessions and conversations with Terry Stevens they are now confident the participation of LCEDO will benefit the county.

The plan is to have the LCEDO advisory committee serve as the requisite advisory committee for the grants.

"It will be the first time Lincoln County's Economic Development representatives will have direct input on how these services will be utilized in this region," Harrison said. Sheriff's Report

The commissioners took no action on a suggestion from Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett to consider cross training the deputies to serve both on patrol and in the jail.

"Perhaps we can kill two birds with one stone," Brackett said. "However, it would require a sufficient investment in training hours." To work in the jail the deputy would require an additional 120 hours of training, according to Jail Administrator Brain Lawrence.

Brackett asked the commissioners to consider hiring former Sheriff William Carter as a reserve deputy to attend various state meetings should Brackett not be able to make it.

The commissioners will also consider the request to hire Matthew Day as a reserve deputy. Jail Report

The daily inmate count at the Lincoln County Jail as of Tuesday, January 21, was 34 offenders, 27 males and three females in house, two females boarded out, one male boarded out, and two males on medical furlough.

There are five on state probation hold; three have already been sentenced and two are awaiting trail. Lawrence said two of the offenders were to be released on Tuesday. Regional Jail

The commissioners accepted the revised Pulitzer/Bogard proposal for consulting services for the Lincoln and Sagadahoc County Jail.

The county commissioner requested the firm to submit a revised proposal to amend their current contract to work through November.

The new contract will cost an additional $108,000, split between the two counties.

Sagadahoc County Commissioners were expected to sign the proposal Tuesday afternoon.