Maine Connectivity Authority
DRAFT Five Year Action Plan for the State of Maine
Solving the digital divide in Maine takes vision and resources. Maine’s vision is for a statewide connectivity infrastructure that will improve the lives of Mainers now and in the future, empowering broad participation in modern society. The Maine Connectivity Authority exists to plan, invest in, deploy, and enable universal access to affordable, high-speed broadband that will dramatically improve the quality of life of Mainers. MCA proposes the following primary strategies and related activities to achieve affordable universal access to broadband in Maine.
DRAFT Digital Equity Plan for the State of Maine
Maine faces a perfect storm of challenges in achieving digital equity. Our remote and rugged terrain makes our state one of the most difficult and expensive to reach with digital infrastructure. As the oldest state in the nation, we have a significant population that didn’t grow up with all of the technology available today. Maine’s median household and per capita income lag behind most other states. Almost all of us live in small, rural communities with limited resources. These forces combine to shape the contours of the digital divide in Maine.
Maine Connectivity Authority Launches New Program To Support Broadband Utility Districts
The Maine Connectivity Authority is launching a new program to provide targeted support to Broadband Utility Districts (BUDs) in Maine. Broadband Utility Districts are community-based organizations formed to build and operate broadband networks to increase access to high-speed internet. The utility district ownership model is a critical part of helping enable regional scale impact resulting in improved connectivity and digital equity in Maine. The districts often partner with service providers to operate the network, while the communities in the districts own the internet infrastructure.
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.
$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.
Maine Connectivity Authority Commits $4 Million of Awards to 26 Communities, Regional and Tribal Groups
The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) commits 26 awards totaling more than $4 million in funding and support to community, regional and tribal organizations through the Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners and Get Ready Community Support programs. These initiatives will support community-driven broadband solutions that ensure universal connectivity, strengthen and grow the number of partners thinking about digital equity and inclusion, and create increased alignment and coordination between communities, regions, and the state.
Maine Connectivity Authority Accepting Applications for $100 Million in Broadband Infrastructure Grants
Applications are open for the Main Connectivity Authority's "Connect the Ready Program." The competitive grants program will allocate $70 million to public & private partners such as governmental entities, broadband utility districts, and internet service providers (ISP). This initiative will support partners’ efforts to proactively and collaboratively design, fund, and build broadband infrastructure projects in eligible areas.
Maine Connectivity Authority Allocates $10 Million to ConnectMaine for Spring 2022 Grant Round
The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) will be allocating $10 million to ConnectMaine for the agency’s grant round in spring 2022 following approval from their Board of Directors on an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with ConnectMaine. Combined with existing bond funds available to ConnectMaine, $16 million will be granted to local communities and ISPs to expand broadband access — over four times more than ever before.