Collins, King Applaud $24 Million Investment to Expand Maine Broadband and Digital Skills Training

WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King are announcing the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is awarding $24.8 million to expand broadband and digital skills training across Maine. Awarded through the NTIA's Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, this Maine funding will ensure communities have the access and skills to fully participate in the digital world, regardless of their background or circumstances. The grant program was signed into law under the Biden Administration through King's bipartisan Digital Equity Act, and included in the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, to provide $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion.

More specifically, the National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) based in Wiscasset will receive $13.7 million to expand access to digital skills training statewide and increase capacity of the State of Maine's libraries and other community organizations to provide digital equity services, including telehealth. The Greater Portland Council of Governments will also receive $11.1 million to expand workforce development and digital literacy and cyber safety for seniors at community hubs among other goals.

"Access to high-speed Internet is critical to the vitality of rural communities, which is why I have long championed expanding access to broadband across Maine," said Senator Collins. "From spurring job creation to supporting telemedicine and education, the Internet unlocks almost endless benefits and possibilities. I co-authored the broadband section of the bipartisan infrastructure law to help bridge the digital divide between rural and urban areas, and I am pleased that this funding will help Maine make historic investments to extend its high-speed network to ensure that families have a reliable connection to their loved ones, co-workers, schools, and medical services."

"In today's digital age, it is necessary for us to continue modernizing our state's infrastructure to equip Maine people with access to affordable high-speed internet and digital literacy resources," said Senator King. "This $24.8 million investment from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act propels us toward our goal of closing the digital divide by having both statewide connectivity and statewide digital literacy. I look forward to continue working with the new administration to ensure all Maine people have access to 21^st century technology that is essential for work, education, health, and personal use, and the digital skills to make the most of the opportunity this connectivity provides."

Funding for the National Digital Equity Center and Greater Portland Council of Governments builds on the $5.7 million funding for Maine's Digital Equity Capacity Grant awarded in December 2024. More information on the projects can be found here.

"The National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) has worked tirelessly since 2018 to help close the digital divide in Maine and across the United States. NDEC and its partners are deeply honored to be awarded the NTIA Competitive Grant award. We are so delighted and incredibly humbled to have the opportunity to expand and continue this very important work for Maine and its people," said Susan Corbett, Executive Director of the National Digital Equity Center.

"This funding will allow us and our partners to increase access to high-speed internet for all Mainers regardless of their income, background, or location. Our efforts will include providing affordable devices and affordable internet access. We'll teach people how to stay safe when online, and we'll help them realize the benefits of digital technology, such as how to use a video conferencing app to connect with their doctor," said Kristina Egan, Executive Director of the Greater Portland Council of Governments.

"The award for GPCOG and its regional and Wabanaki partners all around the state is an enormous boost for Maine, at the best moment. Just when broadband infrastructure deployment is accelerating to serve every location in Maine, this grant will ensure that Maine people and communities in every part of the state will have access to support and services to maximize economic, educational, and workforce opportunities, improved access to care, and more that better connectivity can provide," said Maggie Drummond-Bahl, Senior Director of Digital Equity and Partnerships at Maine Connectivity Authority.

"These critical resources from the federal government will help Washington County residents take advantage of the opportunities that increased broadband access has created. Full access to the digital economy is essential to rural communities like ours, and we appreciate this investment that will help make that possible," said Charles J. Rudelitch, Esq., Executive Director of the Sunrise County Economic Council.

Senator King is a longstanding advocate for the expansion of broadband access; his first op-ed as a Senate candidate in 2012 was to tout the potential of statewide connectivity. He introduced the Digital Equity Act of 2021, creating new federal investments toward programs promoting digital equity, and went on to be a key negotiator in securing $65 billion toward broadband infrastructure as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021. Senator Collins co-authored the broadband section of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and worked closely with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to negotiate the provisions. The largest broadband program in the infrastructure bill is the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program which provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access across the country.

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