AUGUSTA — The ConnectME Authority has recently awarded 23 grants to expand broadband communications services to un-served areas in Maine. Approximately $1.6 million was awarded to the recipients with total projects of nearly $2.4 million, expanding services to an estimated 2,300 households and businesses. A list of the grantees is shown below and are fully listed on the ConnectME Authority’s website: www.maine.gov/connectme/connectgrants/index.shtml.
The ConnectME Authority was created in 2006 with the goal of expanding broadband access in the most rural, un-served areas of the state that have little prospect of service from a traditional provider. To date, the Authority has awarded 76 grants, potentially serving over 33,000 households and businesses with grant awards of $6 million and total project costs of $12 million. The Authority is also the recipient of a $5 million federal grant for mapping, planning, capacity building and technical assistance broadband projects in Maine (www.maine.gov/connectme/arragrants/index.shtml).
“This sixth round of grants demonstrates how the ConnectME Authority is spurring private investment in broadband service across Maine through these public-private partnerships,” said Jean Wilson, Authority chair and vice president of Information Services at LL Bean. “These investments are enabling people in rural areas with enhanced access to technology; transforming our state economy and expanding business opportunities for more Mainers.”
Grant applications were judged based on a number of criteria, including the projected percentage of households that would be served; the level of public-private partnerships created; the level of community support for the projects; and the financial viability of the projects. Generally, successful projects are to be completed within one year of receiving the grant funding.
These Authority awards go to eight of Maine’s service providers ranging in size from small, one-office operations to those with a New England or national-based footprint. All the providers have implemented broadband projects through the ConnectME grant process in the past, demonstrating the importance of funding the gap to deploy broadband where it may not otherwise occur. Recipients include:
• Axiom Technologies three grants: Marion Township, Great Wass Island and Brookton-Forest City;
• ChebeagueNet: Chebeague Island;
• Cornerstone Communications five grants: Charleston, South Chester, South Hudson, Lincoln and West Old Town;
• Fairpoint Communications: Georgetown;
• Oxford County Telephone: Hartford and Bethel area;
• Premium Choice Broadband three grants: Ceder Lake — T3-R9, Medford and Orneville Township;
• Pioneer Broadband eight grants: Blaine (three projects), Bridgewater, Houlton (two projects), Masardis and Presque Isle; and
• Time Warner: Porter.
“While all six projects are exciting and effective solutions to the increasing necessity for broadband services in rural Maine, there is still work to be done to provide universal access to broadband service for Maine,” said Phil Lindley, executive director of the ConnectME Authority.
“A broadband ‘pipe’ enables economic development, tele-health services, educational opportunities and better participation and access to government,” Lindley added.