Sen. Susan Collins (R) and Sen. Angus King (I) issued a joint press release Thursday applauding the federal government’s decision to approve the remaining $266 million in funding to expand high-speed internet access throughout Maine.
In June, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved Maine’s overall plan to “expand access to high-speed, reliable and affordable Internet throughout the state” through a $272 million federal grant.
The first $5 million of this allocation was distributed nearly two years ago to support the development of Maine’s Five-Year Action Plan, which identifies the state’s “priorities for broadband and digital investments.”
This Five-year action plan “It identifies priorities for investment in broadband and digital equity, and serves as the state’s five-year roadmap for bringing the economic, health, educational and social benefits of high-speed Internet to all Mainers.”
Now that the state’s plan has been approved, the remainder of Maine’s $272 million allocation has been made available “to expand high-speed internet access throughout Maine and help close the broadband availability gap.”
This funding comes from the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which was established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
The BEAD Program is under the umbrella of the NTIA. Internet for all initiative that was launched in 2022.
(RELATED: Federal government approves Maine plan to expand broadband internet access with $272 million grant)
“Access to high-speed internet is critical to the vitality of rural communities, which is why I have long advocated for expanding broadband access throughout Maine,” Senator Collins said in Thursday’s speech. Press release.
“The Internet offers almost endless benefits and possibilities, from stimulating job creation to supporting telemedicine and education,” he added.
“I co-authored the broadband section of the bill to help close the digital divide between rural and urban areas,” Collins concluded, “and I’m pleased that this funding will help Maine make historic investments to expand its high-speed network and ensure families have a reliable connection to loved ones, coworkers, schools and medical services.”
“In the 21st century, affordable, high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity,” said Senator King. “Families, students, small businesses and telehealth patients across Maine rely on this critical service, especially those living in rural communities.”
“This investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act represents a major step forward for the Maine Connectivity Authority in its effort to close the digital divide across our state,” King concluded. “I am proud to see funding from this bipartisan bill continue to help rural Maine succeed.”
Click here to read the full press release from the senators
Relatedly, Maine elected officials have expressed support in recent months for a program designed to lower the cost of internet access for low-income people.
Earlier this year, Rep. Pingree and Sen. Angus King (I) spoke in favor of extending the life of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)a program originally enacted in November 2021.
(RELATED: Pingree and 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 their internet bill, while eligible households on tribal lands can receive up to $75 per month. One-time grants are also available for the purchase of laptops, desktop computers or tablets.
(RELATED: Janet Mills signs letter asking Congress to increase funding for affordable connectivity program)
Last November, Mills also called for the extension of the ACP, signing a letter alongside twenty-five other governors, including twenty-one Democrats, four Republicans and one new progressive.
In this letter, the governors asked Congressional leaders to “work collaboratively with the Biden Administration to ensure” that the ACP receives additional funding.
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