On September 4, the
ConnectME Authority awarded its second round of grant awards to bring broadband communications services to unserved areas in Maine. A total of more than $1.75 million was awarded to six grant recipients, expanding services to an estimated 12,500 residents. “This second round of grants shows that the ConnectME initiative is spurring private investment in broadband and cellular service across Maine,”
said Governor Baldacci. “These investments are enabling people in rural areas enhanced access to technology, transforming our state economy, and expanding business opportunities for more Mainers.”
The governor, in conjunction with the legislature, created the
ConnectME Authority in 2006 with the goal of stimulating investment in advanced communications technology infrastructure in Maine, and expanding broadband access in the most rural, unserved areas of the state that have little prospect of obtaining service from a traditional provider. The Authority will “identify unserved areas of the state; develop proposals for broadband expansion projects, demonstration projects and other initiatives; and administer the process for selecting specific broadband projects and providing funding, resources, and incentives.” The funding mechanism for the Authority is a
0.25% surcharge on all communications, video, and Internet service bills for retail instate service. In its January 2008 Annual Report the Authority estimated the
surcharge to generate between $750,000 and $1 million per year. Initially, the fund received $500,000 in “seed money” from the Maine Universal Fund.
According to a press release from the governor’s office, the authority judged the grant applications 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.
Five of the grant recipients will work to expand access to high speed Internet service to more than 60 communities that had little prospect of receiving service. The
sixth grantee proposes to build a fiber optic cable network that will connect three partnering medical centers and seven health care facilities in six towns, providing high speed telehealth services. The ConnectME funds will provide the match requirement for a $3.6 million FCC Rural Health Care Pilot Project grant.
Five of the grant recipients will work to expand access to high speed Internet service to more than 60 communities that had little prospect of receiving service. The
sixth grantee proposes to build a fiber optic cable network that will connect three partnering medical centers and seven health care facilities in six towns, providing high speed telehealth services. The ConnectME funds will provide the match requirement for a $3.6 million FCC Rural Health Care Pilot Project grant.
The ConnectME Authority expects to conduct a third round of grant awards next spring, based on funding availability.