A recent approval has cleared the path for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) spending to begin in Maine.

​

Maine will now have access to over $271 million to build out broadband infrastructure after federal officials approved the second volume of their initial BEAD proposal this week.

The proposal, which identified priorities for investment in broadband, was approved along with the second volume of Kentucky’s initial proposal.

Governor Janet Mills thanked the president and Maine’s congressional delegation for their work to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included a $42.45 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed internet access in the United States.

“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,” Mills said, according to a June 17 release from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Mills also explained the importance of broadband for Maine.

“Reliable internet access is a critical part of ensuring rural states like Maine can fully participate in our modern, globally connected economy,” the governor 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.”

The state will now be expected to submit their final BEAD proposal in June 2025, which will detail the subgrantees that were chosen and how the state will ensure service to unserved and underserved locations.

According to the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA), once deployment goals are met, remaining funding can be used on internet adoption, training, and workforce development efforts.

Maine’s five-year action plan was submitted to the NTIA last August, followed shortly thereafter by the submittal of Maine’s Digital Equity Plan, in September 2023.

Both volumes of the state’s initial BEAD proposal are available online, at the Maine Connectivity Authority’s website.

Approvals to continue on a rolling basis
A June 17 release from the NTIA said the agency will continue to announce approvals of initial BEAD proposals on a rolling basis.

Last week, the NTIA approved proposals from Colorado and New Hampshire, allowing both states to gain access to BEAD funds.

As a result, New Hampshire will now be able to request access to more than $196 million in BEAD funds for broadband deployment. Colorado, conversely, a larger state in terms of geography and population, will be able to request access to $826 million.