The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) continues to make steady inroads bridging the state’s long standing digital divide on the back of federal grants and a public private-partnership between Lincoln County and Consolidated Communications (Fidum Fiber).
In January, Fidium announced it was beginning construction on the project, which should bring fiber connectivity to 8,300 homes and businesses.
The first phase of the project aims to expand fiber to the towns of Wiscasset, Whitefield, and Edgecomb, as well as parts of Alna and Westport Island. Partial Route 1 closures were required due to fiber installs.
Ultimately, the partnership is also intended to bring fiber access for the first time to Alna, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Dresden, Nobleboro, Southport, Waldoboro, and Woolwich, in neighboring Sagadahoc County.
This project is being paid for by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, an MCA grant, and Consolidated Communications (Fidium Fiber). The funding was part of a broader $9.6 million in grant awards announced by the MCA last August, intended to bring fiber to 15,561 homes and businesses across 12 widely underserved communities in the Pine Tree state.
Lincoln County in particular saw a grant award of $6 million matched by $24.3 million in private and public investment – including county ARPA funds – which the MCA notes was the “highest percentage of financial commitment from any public-private partnership awarded through an MCA program to date.”
“We're thrilled to partner with Fidium to expand their fiber broadband network to our community,” Wiscasset Town Manager Dennis Simmons said of the opportunity.
“This milestone represents a transformative step toward bridging the digital divide, providing our underserved residents with access to critical resources like education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Together, we're building a stronger, more connected future for everyone in our town,” added Simmons.
The MCA also announced last December that it had received $5.7 million via the 2021 infrastructure law that will be used for digital education and opportunity initiatives across the state.
The broadband adoption programs are part a statewide campaign encouraging businesses and organizations to donate computers and tablets, and help fund Tech Help for ME, a tool connecting Maine residents with assistance organizations.
"This particular funding will support all of the programs and organizations that will help us really maximize our investment in broadband infrastructure around the state," Maggie Drummind-Bahl, MCA senior director of digital equity and partnerships, said of its latest funding.
Inline map of Lincoln County, Maine courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons, Attribution 3.0 Unported
Inline image of Wicasset train station courtesy of JR P on Flickr, Creative Commons, Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic
