Broadband
Overview
Broadband, or reliable and fast internet connection, along with devices and digital equipment are ever-increasing needs for residents and municipalities throughout the MCOG region and the State.
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At the individual level, access to reliable, fast internet and personal devices such as laptops and tablets advance important opportunities for telemedicine, employment, services, civic participation, entertainment, and much more. At the municipal level, digital resources such as hybrid meeting capability, digital newsletters and email lists, and robust government websites allow for remote participation of public meetings and increased interconnectivity with town residents, respectively.
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To improve broadband, digital literacy, and device ownership in our region, MCOG can assist your municipality or organization apply for grants related to broadband funding and develop municipal broadband or digital communications plans.
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MCOG works with Hancock County Planning Commission (HCPC) and the Island Institute on digital opportunity and broadband expansion work. MCOG is the Regional & Wabanaki Broadband Partner for Waldo and Knox Counties. Regional & Wabanaki Broadband Partners are selected by the Maine Connectivity Authority to support community-driven broadband solutions that ensure universal connectivity.
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For broadband related inquiries, please contact Dan Debord for Knox County (ddebord@midcoastcog.com) and Reed Silvers for Waldo County (rsilvers@midcoastcog.com).
Municipal Communications
The Art of Communication: MMA’s guide for municipalities to engage with the public
A three-page document with common sense tips for municipal communication and dealing with the press
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Guidance from Facebook on government use of Facebook
A resource from Facebook to help your municipality effectively use the social media site to update your community
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Municipal Website Regulation Guidelines
A resource for best practices to keep your municipality’s website legal regarding copyright law, ADA accessibility, privacy, etc.
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Waldo County Municipal Digital Communications Needs Report
In the fall of 2024, MCOG surveyed its member municipalities in Waldo and Knox counties regarding their needs for municipal digital communications including hybrid meeting capacity, WiFi connectivity, digital communications channels, etc. The findings from conversations with municipal officials in each town were summarized into the above report.
Digital Skill Resources
National Digital Equity Center (NDEC)
The NDEC, a Wiscasset based non-profit, provides 40+ online and in-person digital skills classes at locations throughout Maine. The courses are divided into three categories: Work & Business, Home & Education, and Aging Well With Technology. There is more information about the NDEC in the broadband organizations section of this page.
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Liberty Library works with NDEC and the Waldo Broadband Corporation to offer free, in-person digital literacy courses. It has established itself as the main partner location for digital skills courses in Waldo County.
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Senior Planet is a branch of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) that provides online and in-person classes that help them learn new skills, save money, exercise, make new friends, and more. It also offers articles, videos, and activities. Classes include exercise instruction, personal finance, technology basics, and more.
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The Maine State Library offers a large database of digital skills courses and other resources for adults of all ages. They include topics such as email basics, resume writing, social media, and more.
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Coursera: The online education resource Coursera has a variety of free and paid online courses of all types. Many of them instruct about digital skills and software such as using Excel or Zoom.
Regional Broadband and Digital Equity Plans and Resources
Waldo Broadband Corporation Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan
Produced by the National Digital Equity center, it outlines goals and strategies to achieve digital equity in the county.
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Hancock and Waldo County Digital Equity Plan
Produced by the Island Institute, it outlines goals and strategies to achieve digital equity in Hancock and Waldo Counties.
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Broadband Included in Comprehensive Plans
Many recent comprehensive plan updates include goals and strategies related to broadband infrastructure expansion. This underscores broadband’s importance as an essential service and one to be integrated into town planning. Below are a few examples of comprehensive plans in the MCOG region that include broadband.
Maine Connectivity Authority’s State Digital Equity Plan
Wrote by the Maine Connectivity Authority, it details barriers and assets to digital equity, and goals and strategies to achieve digital equity for every Maine resident.
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Island Institute Solutions Library
The Island Institute has compiled case studies of rural coastal communities that found solutions to expand broadband access and digital literacy in their communities. The list also includes general solution examples that could be utilized by any community.
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A toolkit created by the NTIA to assist tribal and local governments develop community broadband roadmaps. These resources describe the vision, anticipated benefits, and action plan for local broadband initiatives.
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Digital Equity Through Planning and Partnerships
Pages 33 – 35 of this April 2024 issue of Maine Town & City, the Magazine of the Maine Municipal Association, details the role of partners, including regional planning commissions, adult education centers, and libraries, in advancing digital equity.
Funding Opportunities
This page from the NTIA details every type of federal broadband funding source. Filter by agency, type of eligible recipient, and broadband program purpose.
Federal Digital Equity Act Programs
An overview of the three grant programs established by the Digital Equity Act of 2021.
Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA)
MCA has offered funding for broadband expansion and digital equity through various programs including the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD), Connect the Ready, and Reach ME programs.
USDA Reconnect Loan and Grant Program
The ReConnect Loan and Grant Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas.
USDA Community Connect Program
This additional broadband program from the USDA is more focused on rural areas that have minimal to no service. It provides financial assistance to eligible applicants to provide broadband service in rural, economically challenged communities.
Maps
A map from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) displaying where fixed and mobile broadband services are available across the United States, as reported by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to the FCC.
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MCA Broadband Intelligence Platform Map
An MCA resource with maps detailing unserved and served areas of Maine, and where infrastructure and planning awards have been granted throughout the State.
Guides
Simply press “Go” on this resource to see how fast the internet is in your organization or municipality’s office. Click here for an explanation on download and upload speeds.
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Everything you wanted to know about Broadband (But Were Afraid to Ask)
A resource from the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society simplifying broadband terminology
Making your website mobile-friendly
As many people rely on their phone for internet access to essential services, it is important to ensure that your municipal website is compatible with mobile devices. This ensures that your website is inclusive and accessible. Linked above are 10 best practices to achieve a mobile friendly website.
Cybersecurity
Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC)
A cybersecurity partner for local, tribal, and regional governments whose team of security experts offer incident response and remediation support.
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Maine Emergency Management Agency Cyber Security Grant Program
The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) provides funding to eligible entities to address cybersecurity risks and threats to information systems owned or operated by, or on behalf of, State, local, or tribal governments.
Regional, State, and National Broadband & Digital Equity Organizations
The Waldo Broadband Corporation (WBC) is a Broadband Utility District comprised of the communities of Freedom, Montville, Liberty, Palermo, and Searsmont. Broadband Utility Districts are communities that come together to build and operate broadband networks. Often, they partner with internet service providers to operate the network, while the communities themselves own the internet infrastructure. The WBC partnered with Unity-based Direct Communications to build out fiber internet connections to participating households by October 2026.
Similarly, the Waldo 1A Broadband Coalition is the Broadband Utility District for northern Waldo County, comprising Winterport, Frankfort, Stockton Springs, and Prospect. As of fall 2024, it has received an initial infrastructure grant from the Maine Connectivity Authority that will enable infrastructure build out to the four communities.
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Coastal Maine Regional Broadband (CMRB)
CMRB is a Regional Broadband Partner of the Maine Connectivity Authority serving Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties. CMRB provides resources for individuals and communities and hosts digital equity and skills workshops.
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Georgetown Broadband is a community organization that partnered with Axiom Technologies to bring high speed internet to the peninsula community of Georgetown. The project was completed in 2023.
The Maine Municipal Association (MMA) is a voluntary membership organization offering professional services to municipalities and other local governmental entities in Maine. These include broadband and digital inclusion resources.
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Established in 2021, MCA is a quasi-governmental agency working to achieve universal access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet service throughout Maine.
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National Digital Equity Center (NDEC)
The NDEC is a Wiscasset based non-profit that advocates for digital equity and inclusion. It provides digital literacy classes online and at partner locations throughout Maine. The classes focus on professional growth, personal enrichment, and the development of computer skills. The NDEC also can work with your community to develop digital equity plans, affordable equipment programs, and local affordable broadband benefit subsidies.
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A Waterville-based, digital inclusion non-profit organization founded in 2002 with a focus on recycling and providing personal laptops and tablets. Volunteers may donate their devices which eligible individuals and non-profits may buy at a low-price or at no cost. Additionally, the organization provides technical support and training to help program users get the most of their devices.
National Digital Inclusion Alliance
A national nonprofit based in Ohio with a unique focus on connecting organizations across the US working on digital inclusion and broadband development. NDIA has provided universal definitions of digital equity and digital inclusion, sponsors an annual digital inclusion week, and hosts an annual digital equity conference, Net Inclusion. It also has resources detailing community asset mapping, low-cost internet plans, and a digital inclusion guidebook.
A federal program focused on bridging the digital divide in Department of Housing and Urban Development-assisted communities. It works to get residents connected to high-speed internet and provides access to digital literacy and educational content. It also provides a “playbook” for creating a digital inclusion plan tailored to affordable housing communities.
Local Adult Education Centers and Libraries
Explore your community’s adult education centers and libraries. Many offer digital skills training courses, device lending programs, and drop-in hours for technology troubleshooting and/or repair.