Maine West is supporting communities across Oxford County as they work to secure universal, high speed, reliable and future-ready broadband service to meet the needs of students, health providers, towns, and businesses. The pandemic has highlighted and intensified the need for universal broadband service, and state and federal agencies are responding with important new funding programs. The Maine West team is providing leadership and capacity to help communities respond to this historic opportunity. ​
Current programs include:
  • Broadband Infrastructure Expansion
  • Digital Inclusion
  • Computer and Online Skills Training 
For information on free tech help for Oxford County residents, visit the Community Concepts Finance Corporation's website. 

Statewide Broadband Survey
The Maine Connectivity Authority is developing a statewide Broadband Action Plan for Maine. The plan will identify priorities for investment in broadband infrastructure and digital equity to advance our goal of ensuring that everyone in Maine can benefit from access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet. To develop that plan, they are collecting feedback from Maine people, communities, businesses, and organizations to identify areas of need and their priorities for this generational investment in high-speed internet access. Please take the Maine Broadband Survey!

Maine West Broadband Boot Camp

Despite widespread support, and a historic opportunity to secure funding broadband expansion, many communities struggle with competing priorities and limited understanding of technologies, financing strategies, and available resources to address the issue. 

Maine West partners worked with the ConnectMaine Authority, Maine Broadband Coalition, and Island Institute to create the Maine West Broadband Bootcamp to provide technical assistance to emerging local broadband committees seeking to improve high-speed internet access and adoption in 12 Maine West Communities.

Mahoosuc Community Broadband Committee

​The Mahoosuc Community Broadband Committee is a collaboration by the towns of Woodstock, Greenwood, Bethel, Newry, and Gilead, and Albany and Milton townships.
 
The Committee has been authorized by these communities to develop a regional strategy and financing plan to achieve the share goal of ensuring “everyone in the Mahoosuc region has access to reliable, affordable, high speed, and future ready internet service.”

Additional Programs and Initiatives

digital business assistance program
Small businesses across northern Oxford County are invited to register for online marketing and e-commerce assistance through the Maine West Digital Business Assistance Program. The program offers a combination of consulting and micro grants to help businesses meet the growing need to reach and serve customers remotely. 
Consulting services are provided by Bangor-based Danielle Dorrie of DD+Co Social Media Management and designed to help businesses understand and take advantage of the most up-to-date technology and platforms to improve online marketing and sales results. ​

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM OR TO SIGN UP
​COVID-19: STUDENT LEARNING CONNECTIONS
​Within three weeks of the school shut-downs, Maine West raised more than $10,000 and built a partnership with the Maine-based National Digital Equity Center to provide area schools with mobile hotspot devices that turn cellular phone signals into home wireless internet connections. With project funding provided by the Betterment Fund, the Northern Forest Center, and The River Fund Maine, a total of 200 mobile hotspot devices were distributed  to schools in the Oxford Hills (SAD 17), Bethel area (SAD 44), and the Rumford and River Valley areas (RSU 10 and 56) – helping students make the vital connection to the internet and online school services.
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In addition to serving kindergarten through grade 12 schools, the Maine West mobile hotspot initiative is supporting nontraditional learners through adult education programs and the University College Centers in Rumford and South Paris.
PUBLIC ACCESS INTERNET & COMPUTERS
​​In 2018-19, with grants from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation and the Maine Community Foundation, the Northern Forest Center purchased and installed 48 new computers, nine wireless printers, software, broadband access points, and wiring in 11 public libraries serving the Maine West area. Many of the libraries involved replaced equipment that was 10 years old or older. Each library contributed 15 percent of the cost of its new equipment.

The project was implemented in partnership with the Maine State Library, whose technology staff helped each library assess their needs and provided support and technical assistance throughout the project and continues to support area libraries. ​
DOWNTOWN CONNECTIONS: HOTSPOTS AND FIBER IN DOWNTOWN RUMFORD
Following on the regional broadband planning process, Maine West created a matching grant program to encourage installation of community hotspots in downtowns or other areas with high foot traffic. Among other services, community WiFi hotspots provide free, short-term connectivity for individuals who cannot access the internet from home, remote workers, residents and visitors who are outside their cellular networks, people seeking faster data service than offered by cellular service – or to limit cellular data charges, and more. ​
​EnvisionRumford, Rumford's downtown organization, accepted a Maine West matching grant and identified a prime location for a hotspot. Working with CCFC, EnvisionRumford then secured a commitment from Bangor Savings Bank to cover the cost of hotspot internet service and maintenance.
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Building on this start, the Town of Rumford engaged Consolidated Communications and expanded the number of proposed hotspots to six as a means of providing free public wifi access throughout downtown Rumford. This expanded project is being funded in part by a grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission with matching funds from Maine West and Bangor Savings Bank.
MAINE WEST REGIONAL BROADBAND PLAN
​Maine West partners have teamed up with Axiom Technologies and nearly 100 residents, municipal officials and business leaders to produce the Maine West Regional Technology Plan and related Digital Inclusion & Workforce Plan to guide local and regional efforts to improve high speed internet connectivity in the Maine West region.  
 
Click here to download the full Maine West Regional Technology Plan or follow these links to access specific sections and appendices:
LOW COST INTERNET SERVICE PLANS
​​Affordable Connectivity Program:
  • The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices.
  • The benefit provides:
    • Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service
    • Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
    • A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
  • See the website for eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Consolidated Communications (FairPoint Communications):
  • Eligible low-income Consolidated Communication residential customers can qualify for a discount on qualified internet service at their primary residence under the Lifeline Program. The discount consists of federal monthly support of $9.25.
  • Eligible Consolidated residential customers residing on tribal lands may qualify for an additional federal discount of up to $25 per month and installation assistance.
  • Further information, including applications forms, can be found at: www.fairpoint.com/home/residential/phone/lifeline.html

Charter Communications (formerly Time Warner Cable):
  • Charter offers "Spectrum Internet Access", which is a low-cost broadband offering. www.SpectrumInternetAssist.com
  • Plan includes: • $14.99 for 30/4 Mbps with no data caps
  • Internet Modem Included / No Contracts Required
  • Add in-home WiFi for $5.00 more per month
  • Customers must not have been a Charter Communications subscriber within 60 days of signing up 
  • Eligibility requires participation in one of the following:
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (>age 65 only)
    • Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of NSLP
    • National School Lunch Program (NSLP); free or reduced cost lunch
    • Residents may visit Charter Communication’s website or call 844-525-1574 to determine eligibility
Low cost computers
Low-cost or free computers are often just as important as having access to low-cost or free Internet options, particularly for people in low-income communities. 

  • PC’s for Maine www.pcsformaine.org offers refurbished, used computers that are donated by businesses in Maine and are available to low-income families.
  • PC’s for Maine will consider installing a kiosk at a local business to sell low-cost computers locally. Axiom will work with local businesses in each community and facilitate a conversation with PC’s for Maine, should the community or Maine West decide to move forward.
  • Goodwill’s "Good Tech" program offers refurbished, used computers to low-income residents. goodwillnne.org/stores/goodtech
  • Lending Library of Devices: laptops, desktops, iPads, etc., could be provided for residents to borrow on an "as-needed" basis. The devices might be donated or grant funds could be applied for to purchase equipment.
PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS AND INTERNET
Increasing public access computing allows residents to access technology in places they feel comfortable and supported is critical. If a business or resident cannot afford equipment or an internet subscription, and if broadband is not available at their location, Public Computer Access is essential. 

Below is a list of Public Computer Access in libraries in the Maine West region; all libraries offer free WiFi:
*The computers in the University Centers are not open access for the public ​
High speed internet access is widely recognized as a necessity for full participation in today's society. Employers, educators, businesses, healthcare providers, and civic institutions expect people to have access to computers and broadband connectivity. However; accessible, reliable, and affordable broadband service continues to be out of reach for millions of Americans and thousands of Mainers, many of whom live in low-income, rural households.
To learn more about the Maine West Broadband Access & Adoption program, contact one of the following partners:
Mia Purcell, Community Concepts Finance Corporation: [email protected]
Mike Wilson, Northern Forest Center: [email protected]

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