Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners Program
Program Description
The Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners Program will help deploy, sustain and maximize the benefits of broadband infrastructure investment in all state regions. Each partner will build and lead digital inclusion efforts in their region and tribe while also providing support for community and regional-scale broadband infrastructure solutions and investments.
Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners will receive funding and support provided by the MCA in partnership with the Maine Broadband Coalition (MBC) and National Digital Equity Center (NDEC).
Who is Eligible?
Non-profit organizations, Indian Tribal governments, or planning commissions, economic development agencies or organizations, councils of government (COGs), schools, libraries, political subdivisions of tribal governments.
Funding Amount
A two-year funding commitment of up to $250,000 per year per grantee
MCA Contact
Maggie Drummond-Bahl
mbahl@maineconnectivity.org
(207) 209-3841
Program Goals
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Support community-driven broadband solutions that ensure universal connectivity
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Strengthen and grow the number of partners thinking about digital equity and inclusion
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Create alignment and coordination between communities, regions, and the state
Fall 2022 Award Recipients
The Fall 2022 award recipients include the following regional and tribal entities:
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Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments ($153,078)
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Eastern Maine Development Corporation ($250,000)
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Four Directions Development Corporation ($250,000)
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Greater Franklin Development Council ($215,743)
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Greater Portland Council of Governments ($250,000)
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GrowSmart Maine ($183,400)
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Island Institute ($250,000)
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Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission ($234,420)
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Northern Forest Center ($246,081)
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Northern Maine Development Commission ($250,000)
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Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission ($249,567)
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Somerset Economic Development ($209,500)
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Sunrise County Economic Council ($203,373)
Program Priorities & Deliverables
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Program Priorities
The program will prioritize partnerships that demonstrate the following:
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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.
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Ability to convene a broad, representative alliance of partners identified and committed to the project within their region. Click here for suggested partners.
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Demonstrated capacity to complete the program deliverables through a clear staffing plan and identified roles for members of the regional alliance.
Staff & Technical Support
The MCA, MBC, and NDEC staff, as well as additional consultants as needed, will work directly with the Regional Partners, including:
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Coordinating group meetings of Regional Broadband Partners
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Meeting individually with Regional Partners and/or attending meetings in each region
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Providing general broadband and digital equity education and support for community driven broadband planning within each region;
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Providing regular updates about infrastructure projects within each region and advising on infrastructure solutions and grant opportunities;
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Facilitating the development of regional digital inclusion plans
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Other support as these needs are identified throughout the program.
Grant Deliverables
Grantees must accomplish the following deliverables as part of the grant commitment in year 1:
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Provide support and education to communities and groups of communities within the region to help support broadband planning and community-driven infrastructure solutions;
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Convene a broad regional alliance focused on digital inclusion;
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Develop a regional digital inclusion plan
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Identify a regional representative to serve on the statewide Digital Equity Taskforce;
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Identify a regional representative or partner to serve on the 5-Year Broadband Action Plan committee;
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Support data collection and research;
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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)
July 19, 2023
August 16, 2023
September 20, 2023
October 18, 2023
November 15, 2023
December 20, 2023
Reporting and Compliance
Contractor must file quarterly, annual, and final reports as required by U.S. Treasury Guidance.
Quarterly Project and Expenditure Reports timeline:
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Q1 reporting (Dec-Feb) - due by March 30
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Q2 reporting (Mar-May) - due by June 30
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Q3 reporting (Jun-Aug) - due by September 30
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Q4 reporting (Sep-Nov) - due by December 30
Ineligible expenses:
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Funding will not be eligible for use in matching MCA grants.
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Funding won’t be eligible for funding capital projects without prior consent from MCA.
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The State is not permitting an indirect cost rate to be used with this funding; however, reasonable and necessary direct administrative costs are allowable.
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Please see FAQs for more information.
If a recipient has a current Negotiated Indirect Costs Rate Agreement (“NICRA”) established with a Federal cognizant agency responsible for reviewing, negotiating, and approving cost allocation plans or indirect cost proposals, then the recipient may use its current NICRA. Alternatively, if the recipient does not have a NICRA, the recipient may elect to use the de minimis rate of 10 percent of the modified total direct costs pursuant to 2 CFR 200.414(f).
