$34 Million Awarded to Expand Broadband Through Connect the Ready Program

The Maine Connectivity Authority announced more than $34 million in grant funding to expand access to high-speed, reliable and affordable internet across Maine. The Connect the Ready grants are the single largest investment in Maine’s broadband infrastructure to date, will provide broadband service to more than 16,000 homes and businesses and will leverage over $17 million in private investment from communities and service providers. The 12 funded projects cover 31 communities across nine counties. Connect the Ready is a competitive grant program that encourages public/private partnerships and collaboration to build broadband infrastructure in unserved or underserved areas of the state. The Maine Connectivity Authority received 29 grant applications for this round of funding, with requests of more than $102 million. MCA will announce the next Connect the Ready grant round later in 2023. 

The current round of grants include:​

1. $1,556,059 - Town of Abbot + Premium Choice Broadband (also covering portions of Parkman, Guilford)
2. $966,912  - Town of Arrowsic + Axiom Technologies
3. $705,866 - Town of Bowerbank + Premium Choice Broadband (also covering portions of Sebec)
4. $2,292,601 - Town of Bradford + Premium Choice Broadband (also covering portions of Charleston)
5. $3,040,838 - Towns of Brooks and Waldo + Unitel/Direct Communication
6. $1,137,842 - Town of Clifton + Premium Choice Broadband (also covering portions of Bradley, Eddington)
7. $8,133,267 - Greater East Grand Economic Council + Consolidated Communications (including portions of Danforth, Drew Plt, Glenwood Plt, Orient, Reed Plt, Weston)
8. $2,172,890 - Town of Greenville + Premium Choice Broadband (also covering portions of Beaver Cove, Shirley, and the Unorganized Townships of Lily Bay and Frenchtown)
9. $8,827,148 - Town of Skowhegan + Consolidated Communications (also including portions of Madison, Cornville, and Canaan)
10. $1,697,997 - Town of Swan’s Island + TDS Telecommunications
11. $2,229,396 - Town of Vienna + Axiom Technologies
12. $1,247,609 - Town of Willimantic + Premium Choice Broadband (also covering portions of townships of Blanchard and Elliottsville)