County commission approves application for Montana Main Street Program grant fund Lincoln Master Plan

The Lewis and Clark County Commission unanimously approved the application for a $20,000 grant from the Montana Main Street Program during the Friday Dec. 5 Government Day meeting held via Zoom.

Although the grant would be for the community of Lincoln, Lewis and Clark County is technically the applicant, as the local government with jurisdiction over the town. If approved, the grant and $5000 in matching funds raised by Envision Lincoln will provide approximately half the funding needed to develop a downtown master plan for Lincoln.

Hopes for the success of the application were high during the meeting, due to the partnerships and projects Envision Lincoln has developed since 2017 and due to being the Montana Main Street program's first unincorporated community.

"It's something that the Department of Commerce and the Main Street program I think is excited about, thinking about communities like Lincoln that certainly have a lot of potential and some really exciting growth opportunities, but aren't incorporated," said Ann McCauley, the grants administrator for the county.

Envision Lincoln and the county have been working closely with the Montana Business Assistance Connection, which will serve as the grant administrator and project manager for the downtown planning project

If successful, Lewis and Clark County will do a sub-recipient agreement with MBAC, which has experience and expertise in downtown master planning.

In turn, MBAC plans to submit an application to the Big Sky Trust Fund Dec. 16, using the MMS grant as matching funds to fully fund the cost of the master plan.

"We see a lot of opportunity coming this way with Lincoln," said Brian Obert, the executive director with MBAC. "it just feels like all of the stars are in the right direction right now, and it feels like we have momentum."

McCauley explained that if both grants are successful, the project will go out for bid. She said everyone involved in the grant applications agrees it's important to hire someone who understands rural communities.

Karyn Good, community coordinator for Envision Lincoln, noted that the benefits of a master plan may not be immediate, but are important for the town's future.

"Although some of the opportunities presented in a master plan will take substantial time to implement, we believe it's in Lincoln's best interest to plan for change and growth now, so that when opportunities present themselves, we're ready. That's really what we hope to accomplish." she said.

Good re-iterated that Envision Lincoln will invite and encourage Lincoln residents to participate in development of the plan

"This is a big deal. It seems to be a small piece of a much bigger picture, but this is a transitional point, I believe for what will be the fulfillment of what Envision Lincoln will bring forward into the future," said commissioner Jim McCormick. "I am more than happy to support this. This is one of those big deals I will always remember. I wish Envision Lincoln and the community of Lincoln all the best."

Commission Chair Susan Good Geise, in her final Lincoln Government Day before leaving office, wished Lincoln luck and "God's speed."