New "Reach Me" Grant Funding Expands Reliable Internet in 73 Maine Communities

Fourteen Maine counties and 73 communities will benefit from $20 million in grant funding from the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) as part of its Reach Me Line Extension Program that will expand reliable, fast and affordable internet. The Reach Me grant funding will be matched by $13 million in private investment and will extend broadband service to 6,300 potential subscriber locations across 14 counties. Through this program, MCA worked directly with nine internet service providers (ISPs) to identify portions of their existing networks that would benefit from line extensions. These new connections will provide service to all locations in each area currently unserved by high-speed internet. Maine Connectivity Authority received over $60 million of funding requests for the program, which was designed to leverage and optimize existing ISP infrastructure with a focus on deploying funding where needed most. New connections provided through the Reach Me Line Extension program will provide high-speed broadband service at levels of at least 100/100 Mbps. Service providers receiving awards must participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which guarantees internet access to low-income households for no more than the fully federally subsidized amount of $30 per month. Funding for the Reach Me Program was made available through the American Rescue Plan Capital Projects Fund.

Internet Service Provider: Charter

Locations Served: 2,147

Funding Amount: $6,891,229

Private Investment: $5,060,339

Communities: Caribou, Dayton, Denmark, Fryeburg, Harrison, Howland, Lovell, Milbridge, Milford, Orrington, Otisfield, Parsonsfield, Presque Isle, Mt. Vernon

Internet Service Provider: Comcast

Locations Served: 216

Funding Amount: $276,006

Private Investment: $828,018

Communities: Bath, Berwick, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Durham, Eliot, Freeport, Harpswell, Kittery, Kittery Point, Phippsburg, South Berwick, Topsham, West Bath, Woolwich

Internet Service Provider: Consolidated Communications

Locations Served: 230

Funding Amount: $667,091

Private Investment: $161,000

Communities: Great Diamond Island & Little Diamond Island

Internet Service Provider: GoNetSpeed

Locations Served: 402

Funding Amount: $2,505,489

Private Investment: $281,400

Communities: Detroit, Plymouth, Old Town, Grand Falls Township, Burlington, Lowell, Enfield, Howland, Maxfield, Lagrange, Medford 

Internet Service Provider: GWI

Locations Served: 248

Funding amount: $995,678

Private Investment: $173,600

Communities: Belfast

Internet Service Provider: GWI

Locations Served: 141

Funding Amount: $844,084

Private Investment: $98,700

Communities: Paris, West Paris, Sumner

Internet Service Provider: Premium Choice Broadband

Locations Served: 109

Funding Amount: $928,792

Private Investment: $152,600

Communities: Greenville, Lincoln, Enfield, Sandbar Tract Township, Misery Gore Township, Sapling Township

Internet Service Provider: TDS

Locations Served: 803

Funding Amount: $1,311,623

Private Investment: $1,204,500
Communities: Avon, Strong, New Vineyard, Freeman Township, New Portland, Kingfield, Lexington Township, Highland Plantation, Concord Township, Embden

Internet Service Provider: Tidewater Telecom (LCI)

Locations Served: 641

Funding Amount: $2,548,196

Private Investment: $1,244,542

Communities: Union, South Bristol, Newcastle

Internet Service Provider: Unitel

Locations Served: 1,373

Funding Amount: $3,300,000

Private Investment: $3,900,000

Communities: Knox, Thorndike, Unity, Burnham, Troy, Dixmont, Newburgh, Hampden