ConnectME Authority

The Maine Legislature approved the operation of the ConnectME Authority with the goal of expanding broadband access in the most rural, un-served areas of the state that have little prospect of service from a traditional provider. The Authority is to “identify un-served areas of the State; develop proposals for broadband expansion projects, demonstration projects and other initiatives; and administer the process for selecting specific broadband projects and providing funding, resources, and incentives.” The Authority will be funded with a 0.25% surcharge on instate retail communications services. The Authority will fund proposals through grants, direct investments, or loans made on behalf of, in partnership with, or in support of, one or more communications service providers.

ConnectME Authority Final Adopted Rule, Chapter 101, effective June 29, 2007.
ConnectME Statute, 35-A, M.R.S.A. Chapter 93.

Annual Reports to the Legislature

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Broadband Initiative

Notice to Service Providers: New ConnectME Fund Administrator, July 1, 2008

Rolka Loube Saltzer Associates will be the administrators of the MTEAF and ConnectME Funds. All questions, reports and payments scheduled to arrive on or after July 1, 2008 should go to the new administrator, contact and reporting information indicated within the new filing instructions.
Letter of Introduction

Schedule of Meetings of the ConnectME Authority and ConnectME Advisory Council
(Agendas and Minutes)

ConnectME Authority Third Round Grant Process (June 17, 2009)

Third Round Grant Application, Due July 15, 2009 (Adobe PDF version, MS Word version)
Announcement and instructions for Pre-Application Letter due June 1, 2009 (Adobe PDF, MS Word).
- Pre-Application Letters Received, Spreadsheet Summary of Pre-Applications Submitted
Existing and Incumbent Broadband Service Providers notified June 4, 2009.
Grant Application Review Process

ConnectME Authority Second Round Grant Awards, Five Grants for $1.44 Million (revised)

News Release: September 4, 2008, Second Round Grant Awards
Summary of Grants Awarded (revised) (Excel spreadsheet).
Notice to Broadband Service Providers (PDF file)
Grant Award Reporting Forms
News Release: June 9, 2008, Announcing Second Round of Grants.

ConnectME Authority First Round Grant Awards. Six Grants for $738,724 (revised)

List of grants awarded (revised).

Sales and Use Tax Reimbursement Information (expires 1/31/09).

Anyone who would like to receive information about the grant application process or other activities of the Authority, please indicate your interest in being added to the mailing list by following the“Staying Informed” link or see the Contact Us page.

INFORMATION RESOURCES:

Broadband Availability Map (Search by Town)
Internet Access Providers in Maine: These are unaudited lists, for details contact the providers directly. Please contact connect.me@maine.gov for additions, deletions, or changes. For information purposes only, no endorsement is expressed or implied.
- List/spreadsheet, Developed by ConnectME Authority
- Maine State Library List
Maine Public Libraries with Wireless Access by Town
FCC Website: Broadband Opportunities for Rural America - Large quantity of Federal information (FCC and USDA) in one place: descriptions of types of service, sources of funding, reports, etc.
- USDA/RUS Community Connect Grant Applications due June 19, 2009.
Broadband Access Infrastructure Board DRAFT Report, Revised 11/28/05
Report on Municipal Capabilities to become Internet Service Providers, September 2006
Prepared by the State Planning Office.

FCC Form 477 Data: All communications service providers that are required to file FCC Form 477, will file copies of the form, filed at the Federal Communications Commission, with the Authority pursuant to Chapter 101, Section 3(A). All other providers will file the data required in Chapter 101, subsection 3(A)(3), using the schedule in Chapter 101, subsection 3(A)(1). Please send the data to the Authority in spreadsheet format to connect.me@maine.gov.

Latest News

May 5, 2009: ConnectME Authority Announces Third Round of Broadband Expansion Grants
September 4, 2008: ConnectME Authority Announces Second Round of Grant Awards
June 9, 2008: ConnectME Authority Announces Second Round of Grants

Authority INFORMATION