Maine’s plan to “expand access to high-speed, reliable, and affordable internet across the state” using a $272 million federal grant was approved Monday by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
This funding comes through the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which was established by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The BEAD Program is housed under the umbrella of the NTIA’s Internet for All initiative that was launched in 2022.
According to a press release from Gov. Janet Mills (D), this is the largest grant that the state has ever received for internet expansion.
Now that the state’s plan has been approved by the federal government, the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) will “begin a subgrantee selection process in the coming months.” Applications are expected to become available this fall.
Following this, the state will need to submit a final proposal to NTIA explaining how their plan for distributing the funds will “allow Maine to achieve universal connectivity.”
This final submission must be made within the next year.
“Reliable internet access is a critical part of ensuring rural states like Maine can fully participate in our modern, globally connected economy,” Mills said. “With this approval, Maine can now put historic Federal funds to use to bring the internet to more people in Maine, unlocking new opportunities in commerce, education, telemedicine and more.”
“I thank President Biden and the Maine Congressional Delegation for their hard work to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made this historic investment possible,” Mills continued. “My Administration and the Maine Connectivity Authority will continue our aggressive work to make an internet connection available to every person in Maine who wants one.”
“Our state has made tremendous progress connecting people to more reliable, faster and affordable internet,” said Maine Connectivity Authority President Andrew Butcher. “We’ve led the way on digital equity, helping veterans, seniors and older Mainers get online, and are now one critical step closer to making the most of this historic investment to bridge the digital divide.”
“I’m thrilled to see MaineConnectivity’s BEAD round 2 approval,” said Rep. Chellie Pingree (D). “This is an important step to closing the digital divide and getting critically needed broadband resources to the state. I was proud to help secure BEAD funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will continue to support efforts to ensure all Mainers have broadband access.”
Click Here to Read Gov. Mills’ Full Press Release
The federal government also on Monday approved Kentucky’s plans for spending the funds that it was awarded through the Internet for All’s BEAD Program.
“Through our Internet for All initiative,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a press release, “we’re ensuring everyone in America has access to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet.”
“In Kentucky, Maine, and across the country, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is creating economic opportunities and facilitating access to jobs, health care and education,” Raimondo continued. “Congratulations to the teams in Kentucky and Maine for creating robust plans that will ensure everyone in their states is connected.”
Click Here to Read Internet For All’s Full Press Release
The dispersal of these funds will guided by Maine’s five-year Broadband Action Plan and the state’s Digital Equity Plan.
The Broadband Action Plan “identifies priorities for investment in broadband and digital equity, and serves as the state’s 5-year road map to bring the economic, health, educational, and social benefits of high-speed internet to all Mainers.”
Relatedly, Maine’s elected officials have expressed support in recent months for a program designed to lower the cost of internet access for low-income individuals.
Earlier this year, Rep. Pingree and Sen. Angus King (I) spoke out in support of extending the lifespan of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a program originally enacted in November of 2021.
[RELATED: Pingree, King Push for Multi-Billion Dollar Extension of Affordable Connectivity Program]
The ACP — also part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — represented a $14.2 billion modification to the existing Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program).
Under the program, eligible low-income households can receive up to $30 per month off of their internet bill, while households on qualifying Tribal Lands may receive as much as $75 per month. One-time grants are also available for the purchase of laptops, desktop computers, or tablets.
Last November, Mills also called for the ACP’s extension, signing onto a letter alongside twenty-five other governors, including twenty-one Democrats, four Republicans, and one New Progressive.
In this letter, the governors asked Congressional leadership to “work collaboratively with the Biden Administration to ensure” that the ACP receives additional funding.
“I thank President Biden and the Maine Congressional Delegation for their hard work to rape me of my hard earned savings through unneeded TAXES.”
Boy the federal gov’t sure has a lot of money to throw around. Oh, that’s right, they don’t actually have it. It’s just fake printed funny money. Must be nice to own a printing press. They print and we pay the price for it.