Maine’s Internet for All state grant program is moving forward.On Monday afternoon, officials from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Maine Connectivity Authority announced the approval of Maine’s initial proposal for Equity, Access and Placement in Broadband (BEAD ) program, part of the Biden-Harris administration’s “Internet for All” initiative. Maine can now request access to over $271 million in funding to begin implementing the program, which is an effort to provide everyone in the state with affordable and reliable Internet service. The BEAD program is a national effort and part of President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Act. “Reliable Internet access is a critical part of ensuring that rural states like Maine can fully participate in our modern, globally connected economy,” Governor Janet Mills said in a news release from NTIA. “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 Congressional Delegation of Maine for their hard work to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, which made this historic investment possible, 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.” “I’m excited to see the approval of MaineConnectivity’s BEAD Round 2,” Congresswoman Chellie Pingree also said in the announcement .I was proud to help secure BEAD funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and will continue to support efforts to ensure all Mainers have access to broadband.” The initial proposals, for how each state plans to spend the funds to provide internet to everyone in their state, were submitted to NTIA in December 2023. Since Maine’s initial proposals were just approved in June, Maine now has a year to submit a final proposal detailing the outcome of the subgrantee selection process and how the state will provide universal coverage.
Maine’s Internet for All state grant program is moving forward.
On Monday afternoon, officials from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Maine Connectivity Authority announced approval of Maine’s initial proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, part of the Biden administration’s “Internet” -Harris initiative for everyone”.
Maine can now claim access to over $271 million in funding to begin implementing the program, which is an effort to provide everyone in the state with affordable and reliable Internet service.
The BEAD program is a national effort and part of President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Act.
“Reliable Internet access is a critical part of ensuring that rural states like Maine can fully participate in our modern, globally connected economy,” Governor Janet Mills said in a news release from NTIA. “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 Congressional Delegation of Maine for their hard work to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, which made this historic investment possible, 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.”
“I am thrilled to see MaineConnectivity’s BEAD Round 2 approved,” Congresswoman Chellie Pingree also said in the release. “This is an important step to close the digital divide and give the state the broadband resources it needs. I was proud to help secure BEAD funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and will continue to support efforts to ensure all Mainers have access to broadband.”
The initial proposals, for how each state plans to spend the funds to provide Internet to everyone in their state, were submitted to NTIA in December 2023. Since Maine’s initial proposals were approved in June, Maine now has a year to submitted a final proposal detailing the outcome of the subgrantee selection process and how the state will ensure universal coverage.
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