SKOWHEGAN -- A plan linking local farmers, artists and retailers in the soon-to-be vacated Somerset County jail was unveiled Friday during a meeting of the Somerset Economic Development Corp.

Amber Lambke, 33, of Skowhegan, a potter and arts enthusiast, said the transformation of the 14,000-square-foot jailhouse would include a grist mill for flour production, stone ovens for baking bread, a restaurant in which to eat the bread and a small retail store to sell it.

But that's not all, Lambke said, sharing her vision to make the Skowhegan area what it was once -- the bread basket of Maine.

"By my mapping so far, I came up with 12 (new jobs) at the outset and that would include a mill store and bakery that will need a manager and workers and the mill which will need a manager and workers, and office support," Lambke told development-corporation directors and guests. "Over time, if we're housing artists-in-residence at the jail selling their work, that's additional work."

She said people have approached her for space for studios, retail galleries even a radio station. She also has established a relationship with the Wesserunsett Arts Council, based in Madison.

"Arts is kind of umbrella here, but I think that people are seeing a lot of possibilities -- I have a theater group -- there's a courtyard in the middle, a rec area, for outdoor cafe, outdoor-performance artists," she said.

She said area farmers also will be needed to grow wheat for the mill, adding jobs and potential there, too.

Lambke declined to share the finances of her business plan -- including her offer for the jail, listed at $200,000 -- citing the confidentiality of negotiations with county commissioners.

She said her start-up budget would be $1 million for renovations, purchase and associated building costs.

The sheriff, jail staff and inmates are expected to be moved into the new county jail in East Madison by the end of the summer, or early this fall.

So far, Lambke's proposal is the only one received by the county commissioners.

Philip Roy, chairman of the Somerset County Commissioners, said the current jail is licensed for 55 inmate beds, but there currently are 98 prisoners being held there.

The new jail -- all 93,000 square feet of it -- will sleep 220 inmates in a modern setting.

The old jail was built in 1897.

Lambke said she started getting her ideas for a grist mill while working with the local farmer's market and with last year's Kneading Conference in Skowhegan, which demonstrated how local farmers could grow grains for milling locally for bread baked in wood-fired ovens. She said there even is a local outlet for wood pellets in Athens to fuel the ovens.

Lambke said her work also with Main Street Skowhegan, River Roads Artisans Gallery, the Maine Arts Commission and the Western Mountain Alliance's "Eat fresh. Eat local." campaign connected her with people who helped her hatch the plans for a grist mill.

She also has connections with the Bread Bakers Guild of America and the King Arthur Flour School of Baking and has contact with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

Lambke told the group Friday morning in 1837, central Maine generated wheat crops, which in today's market would amount to a $17 million annual market.

She said the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates there are 37,000 acres of prime farmland in the Skowhegan area. MOFGA says there are 4,600 certified organic acres within a 30-mile radius of Skowhegan.

Jim Batey, executive director of the development corporation, said the group supports the idea of a grist mill, bakery, small restaurant and art studios.

He said the corporation has come forward as Lambke's fiscal sponsor. He said the county commissioners have the final say on the sale and what is best for the county.

Friday's presentation was to "inform and get the word out," he said. Batey added Lambke will need personal capital, grant money and financing to get the project off the ground.

Development directors assembled Friday said they, too, support the project as it grows into a viable operation.

Director Katie Ouellette of East Madison said she has nothing but praise for Lambke and her project. "You cannot imagine the hours she has put in, the people she has sought information from and her creative skills are such that you can see this whole thing is sort of becoming an octopus -- it's reaching out to so many people in the whole area.

"I'm really grateful for you."

Rep. Donna Finley, R-Skowhegan, agreed, telling Lambke her energy and ideas are bringing to the area an asset that could last well into the future. "I just want to say to some of the other people in this town 'Be positive. Get on the bandwagon. Go with it.' You're just doing a fantastic job," Finley said.

Doug Harlow -- 474-9534 ext. 342

dharlow@centralmaine.com