The Maine West Broadband Boot Camp is helping community leaders organize to address the challenge of expanding high speed internet access and adoption. 

The program is offering 7 strategic learning modules and designed to provide local broadband committees with the knowledge, tools and ongoing support needed to engage their communities and take action. The program runs from July - December 2020. 

​Below is an overview of Boot Camp learning modules completed to date with links to related resources:
Session 1 – July 23: 
​Orientation, Broadband 101, and Community Engagement
​​This session introduced participants to state resource organizations including Maine Broadband Coalition, ConnectMaine Authority, and the Island Institute. Participants learned about common broadband terminology and goal setting, and strategies for engaging community stakeholders and leadership. 

Orientation Slides
Session2 - September 2:
Benefits of Use & Return on Investment
This module featured a presentation by Michael Curri of the Strategic Networks Group that provided training and tools for assessing the near- and long-term benefits of broadband access and adoption – from expanded business opportunities to improved student learning, health outcomes, municipal cost savings, real estate values and more. 
​
Michael Curri - Presentation Slides
Michael Curri - Presentation Recording
Session 3 – September 30:
Models for Providing High Speed Internet Service
This module featured a presentation by Peggy Schaffer, director of the ConnectMaine Authority, to help participants understand the many different approaches to expanding broadband infrastructure – from working with new or existing internet service providers, to creating town-owned and operated networks and various hybrid approaches. The session also introduced participants to new community survey and speed testing tools. 

Peggy Schaffer - link to presentation slides
Peggy Schaffer - presentation recording
Link to online survey
Link to Maine Broadband Coalition speed test
Session 4 – October 28:
Case Studies: Maine Communities Meeting the Broadband Challenge Head On
​This session featured presentations and discussion with community leaders from Baileyville, Islesboro and Bremen – three communities that have taken pro-active (but different) approaches to expanding high speed internet access for local residents. 

​Peggy Shaffer presentation recording
Case Studies recording
Additional Q&A recording

Additional Resources for communities interested in pursuing broadband options:

To learn more about the Maine West Broadband Boot Camp program, contact one of the following partners:
Mia Purcell, Community Concepts Finance Corporation: mpurcell@community-concepts.org
Mike Wilson, Northern Forest Center: mwilson@northernforest.org