PRESS RELEASE: Maine Connectivity Authority Celebrates $50M Award to Connect All Remaining Unserved Homes and Businesses

State leaders and federal delegates await guidance on the remaining $200M that was allocated, public input opportunity scheduled

AUGUSTA, Maine – After nearly four years of planning, analysis and collaboration with the federal government, Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA), the state agency expanding broadband and digital opportunity, is proud to announce that $48.4 million in federal funding has been awarded to connect homes and businesses with slow or unreliable service to high-speed internet.

“With this funding, MCA will provide approximately 22,000 homes and businesses with modern internet access,” said Andrew Butcher, President, MCA. “Our team has been working tirelessly toward this goal for years and this is nothing less than an historic accomplishment for all Maine people,” Butcher added.

While the grant award is notable, it represents only a portion of what Maine was originally allocated. In 2023, through the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA)’s BEAD Program, Maine was allocated $272 million to fund high-speed internet connections and supporting programs to ensure that everyone in Maine could access the benefits of the new connections. In June 2025, NTIA restructured BEAD Program requirements and restricted states to “infrastructure-only” plans, leaving over $200 million promised to Maine undelivered.

“If the funds aren’t delivered as promised, programs will go unfunded and leave Mainers with even fewer tools to participate in today’s digital world,” said Michael Porter, Chebeague Broadband Committee Chair. Porter led the effort to secure a grant in 2022 that delivered high speed connections to Chebeague, in Casco Bay. “Within Maine’s island communities, being connected is critical to public safety, economic development, and overall well-being. Without reliable internet, the islands will become nothing but summer resort communities and retirement communities,” Porter added.

In MCA’s statute, state goals include ensuring that all residents, businesses and institutions in Maine are able to take full advantage of the economic, health, educational and other opportunities available through connectivity services. Previous federal funding cuts in June 2025 eliminated support for basic digital readiness—functions essential for ensuring Maine’s people can use the internet infrastructure that we are building. Further reductions in funding creates risk for stagnating Maine’s long term ability to keep pace with digital demands.

“Our revised, ‘infrastructure only’ plan proved that Maine could stretch a dollar further than most. And while celebrating our efficiencies, and want to be clear that investing in the infrastructure does not mean our work is complete,” Butcher added. “Programs that could strengthen wireless coverage in rural areas, improve connectivity in apartments, colleges, libraries, and schools; teach internet safety to seniors and students; and train the next generation of workers to thrive in an AI-driven economy are at risk."

“We are proud to work with MCA to ensure that all allocated funds reach their true intent: the people,” said Daniel Parrish, Community Development Officer, Direct Communications. “Reliable broadband is essential for overall quality of life in Maine. Our goal is to help the local lobsterman, the blueberry farmer, and every day Mainers achieve access to world class connectivity and these BEAD funds are a necessary part of achieving that goal," Parrish added.

NTIA has indicated it will provide guidance in March on whether it will deliver, alter the use of, or cut, the remaining $200 million. NTIA is hosting a listening session on February 11 about the fate of the remaining funds. The general public is encouraged to join and voice support.

In the meantime, MCA continues executing next steps to deliver the $48.4 million investment to Maine, including the launch of a competitive Request for Proposals to support the permitting process for awarded projects.


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About MCA: About MCA: Focusing on projects, places and people, the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) advances digital opportunity and works to improve connectivity for all Maine people. Established in 2021, MCA is Maine’s public agency charged with achieving universal access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet service statewide. MCA has three statutory goals:

Expand effective, accessible connectivity in every part of the state;
Support the creation of secure, affordable, reliable, competitive, sustainable and forward-looking internet infrastructure that can meet future needs; and
Ensure that all residents, businesses and institutions in Maine are able to take full advantage of the economic, health, educational and other opportunities available through connectivity services.