The Maine West Broadband Boot Camp helps community leaders organize to address the challenge of expanding high speed internet access and adoption.
The program offered eight strategic learning modules designed to provide local broadband committees with the knowledge, tools and ongoing support needed to engage their communities and take action. The program ran from July - December 2020.
Below is an overview of Boot Camp learning modules with links to related resources:
The program offered eight strategic learning modules designed to provide local broadband committees with the knowledge, tools and ongoing support needed to engage their communities and take action. The program ran from July - December 2020.
Below is an overview of Boot Camp learning modules with links to related resources:
Session 1 – July 23:
Orientation, Broadband 101, and Community Engagement
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
Orientation Slides
Session2 - September 2:
Benefits of Use & Return on Investment
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 Slides
Session 3 – September 30:
Models for Providing High Speed Internet Service
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
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
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
Peggy Shaffer presentation recording
Case Studies recording
Additional Q&A recording
SESSION 5 – November 18:
Assessing ownership and service options in your communty
Assessing ownership and service options in your communty
This module dives deeper into the details of broadband financing including exploration of potential revenue flows, the importance of “take rate” to successful private or public financing, and role of feasibility studies to identify appropriate technology and business/ownership models.
Presentation Recording
Presentation Recording
SESSION 6 – December 1:
Get to know your service providers
Get to know your service providers
Representatives from internet service providers serving the Maine West region share information about their residential and business services, plans for expanding and delivering high-speed internet service in this area, and approaches to community partnerships to accelerate service expansion.
Presentation Recording
Presentation Recording
SESSION 7 – december 16:
Digital equity and inclusion
Digital equity and inclusion
This session focused on affordable, robust broadband internet service; affordable internet-enabled equipment that meet the needs of the user and public access computers; access to digital literacy training and how critical they are for supporting the expansion of broadband service.
Presentation Recording
Presentation Recording
SESSION 8 – JANUARY 12:
BROADBAND FUNDING RESOURCES
BROADBAND FUNDING RESOURCES
An overview of municipal, state and federal funding sources and financing options for planning and infrastructure development, including the ConnectMaine Authority, Maine Community Foundation, USDA Rural Development, Northern Border Regional Commission, and more. This session will include a specific focus on Spring 2021 funding and grant deadlines.
Presentation Recording
Presentation Slides
Presentation Recording
Presentation Slides
Additional Resources for communities interested in pursuing broadband options:
- Connect Maine
- Maine Broadband Coalition
- Island Institute - Broadband Guide Addendum
- Benton Foundation: Everything You Wanted to Know About Broadband (But Were Afraid to Ask)
- Broadband Factsheets (from Broadband Connects America)
- Planning a Community Broadband Roadmap
- Michigan Moonshot Broadband Framework
- Community Broadband Plan (from Next Century Cities)
- Institute for Local Self Reliance (fact sheets and podcasts)
- National Digital Inclusion Alliance
- Blandin Community Leadership Program
- Community Networks - Wireless Misconceptions
To learn more about the Maine West Broadband Boot Camp program, contact one of the following partners:
Mia Purcell, Community Concepts Finance Corporation: [email protected]
Mike Wilson, Northern Forest Center: [email protected]
Mia Purcell, Community Concepts Finance Corporation: [email protected]
Mike Wilson, Northern Forest Center: [email protected]