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From:
"Smith, Michael" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Smith, Michael
Date:
Wed, 13 Jan 2010 07:52:27 -0500
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Below is the announcement of the Maine broadband mapping grant.  The
project is managed through the ConnectME Authority, with assistance from
MEGIS and the Maine PUC.  The contractor for the mapping is James W.
Sewall Co. of Old Town, ME.
 
**********
Michael Smith
State GIS Manager
Maine Office of GIS
Maine GeoLibrary Board Member
 
 
________________________________

From: Lindley, Phil 
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 3:19 PM
To: Lindley, Phil
Subject: ConnectME Mapping Grant News Release


Below is the release announcing the receipt of our mapping and planning
grant.

Phillip Lindley
Executive Director
ConnectME Authority
138 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0138

E: [log in to unmask]
P: (207) 624-9970
C: (207) 441-0498
W: www.maine.gov/connectme/ 
________________________________


Maine to Receive Nearly $1.8 Million for Broadband Planning & Mapping
Project

 

(Augusta, Maine-January 12, 2010)  The Department of Commerce, National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced
a nearly $1.8 million grant award to the ConnectME Authority to fund a
mapping and planning project, creating the first comprehensive
geographic inventory of high-speed Internet services statewide for use
in identifying unserved and underserved areas and in planning expansion
throughout the State.  This project is crucial for administering future
State public- and private-sector grants for broadband, creating
opportunities for broadband service providers, the business community,
public institutions, and the citizens of Maine.  

 

The grant funds will facilitate a much more detailed and complete
analysis of broadband than would have been possible with only the
Authority's modest resources.  The grant amount is approximately $1.3
million for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a
two-year period and nearly $440,000 for broadband planning activities
over a five-year period in Maine, bringing the total grant award to
nearly $1.8 million.

 

"This mapping grant will help us target our resources more effectively.
Once we identify where broadband is available, and at what level of
service, we can use our limited funds to provide incentives to private
businesses to expand services into areas of the State in greatest need,"
said Governor John Baldacci.  "In addition to improving education and
the economy through greater broadband deployment, this grant brings
additional business to the Maine company that won the contract for the
mapping project through a competitive bidding process."

 

The Authority awarded James W. Sewall Company of Old Town, Maine, a
three-year contract to map broadband service and availability for the
entire state.  The mapping project, funded in part by the ConnectME
Authority and the funding under the NTIA State Broadband Grant Program,
will extend over three years, with the majority of the mapping to be
completed in the first half of 2010. 

 

The ConnectME Authority was established by the State of Maine
legislature to stimulate investment in advanced communications
technology infrastructure in unserved areas of the State so as to
enhance economic development, healthcare, education, tourism, public
health and safety, and government efficiency.  ConnectME's mapping
project brings together a coalition of organizations with a wide breadth
of broadband and mapping experience, including the Maine Public
Utilities Commission, the Maine Office of GIS, the Broadband Strategy
Council, and Sewall.  For more information, visit the web site at 
www.maine.gov/connectme.


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