Program Priorities

The program will prioritize partnerships that demonstrate the following:

• Demonstrated experience by applicant and/or identified partners within the region in community-driven broadband and broadband planning, digital equity, digital inclusion, or digital skills programming, including participation in the Maine Broadband Coalition “community of practice.” If this is a new program area for the applicant, it will be important to describe how quickly the applicant can adopt broadband as a priority, for example if a Board decision or other decision making process might require time.

• Ability to convene a broad, representative alliance of partners identified and committed to the project within their region. Click here for suggested partners.

• Demonstrated capacity to complete the program deliverables through a clear staffing plan and identified roles for members of the regional alliance.  

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Staff & Technical Support

The MCA, MBC, and NDEC staff, as well as additional consultants as needed, will work directly with the Regional Partners, including:

• Coordinating group meetings of Regional Broadband Partners

• Meeting individually with Regional Partners and/or attending meetings in each region

• Providing general broadband and digital equity education and support for community driven broadband planning within each region;

• Providing regular updates about infrastructure projects within each region and advising on infrastructure solutions and grant opportunities; 

• Facilitating the development of regional digital inclusion plans 

• Other support as these needs are identified throughout the program.

Grant Deliverables

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Grantees must accomplish the following deliverables as part of the grant commitment in year 1:

• Provide support and education to communities and groups of communities within the region to help support broadband planning and community-driven infrastructure solutions;

• Convene a broad regional alliance focused on digital inclusion;

• Develop a regional digital inclusion plan 

• Identify a regional representative to serve on the statewide Digital Equity Taskforce;

• Identify a regional representative or partner to serve on the 5-Year Broadband Action Plan committee;

• Support data collection and research;

• Helping identify potential community anchor institution investment opportunities;

The following monthly meeting dates which are held via Zoom on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 9 - 10:30 AM:

 

January 18, 2023

February 15, 2023

March 15, 2023

April 19, 2023

May 17, 2023

June 21, 2023 (RuralRISE)