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V O L . X X V I I N O. V M A R C H 8 , 2 0 2 1 6 B U S I N E S S M A I N E Business news from around the state 207-623-0680 / 1-800-MEP-4MFG mainemep.org / contact@mainemep.org Market research. Relocation. Equipment upgrades. Packaging. "My Maine MEP consultant Bill chips away at my perceptions of what is possible. When he's not around, I ask myself: 'What would Bill say to me right now?' "‹—Jeff Wolovitz, Founder, Heiwa Tofu Maine MEP is the most comprehensive resource available for manufacturers in Maine. Want to find out what Maine MEP can do for your business? Contact us today for a free assessment! The first year Maine MEP helped Heiwa Tofu with all this, they saw an 81% growth in sales revenue. A new round of funding to get broadband into rural areas B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r W ith a new round of $71 million in funding from the Federal Communications Commission, more rural areas of Maine are expected to be connected to broadband over the next seven years. The $71 million is coming from the FCC's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, a program designed to close the digital divide in the United States through con- struction of rural broadband networks. The lack of broadband in many rural areas has been especially evident during the pandemic, with workers and students at home. It's been exacerbated in the past year by the influx of Maine's new residents, who are buying houses here to flee cities. Many take broad- band for granted only to find out many of Maine's rural areas are beyond the so-called "last mile." "Connectivity is part of all our lives, as it relates to education or working remotely now. Certainly we're seeing telehealth expand," said Heather Johnson, commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. Johnson was a panelist at a virtual webinar hosted by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and Mission Broadband, a division of Bangor-based consulting firm ProInfoNet, which aims to expand broadband to underserved communities nationwide. "We hear frustration all the time about people feel- ing like they're being left out," said Sarah Davis, senior director of government affairs at telecommunications provider Consolidated Communications who was also part of the panel. Consolidated's largest market is Maine, she noted. Maine awards With the recent $71 million effort, four companies were named to carry out the work: Consolidated Communications won $31 million to build infrastructure to 11,513 locations in 1,532 census blocks. Pioneer Wireless Inc. won $5.5 million, covering 1,638 locations in 243 census blocks. RedzoneWireless won $507,000, covering 755 locations in 39 census blocks. StarlinkServices LLC won $34 million, covering 13,849 locations in 1,978 census blocks. In all, the funding will pro- vide ser vice to 27,755 locations in Maine. Con- tractors will be required to offer broadband to all locations in their cen- sus blocks by 2027. Nationwide, the total budget is $20.4 billion for the program. The program coin- cides with related initiatives. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Tele- communications Association of Maine and Mission Broadband recently endorsed the American Broadband Buildout Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., to provide up to $15 billion in matching grants to help states and state-approved entities build "last-mile" infrastructure to bring high-speed broadband directly to homes and businesses in rural areas that lack it. "The American Broadband Buildout Act would provide a much-needed boost to small businesses throughout Maine, providing them with the high-speed internet access they need to stay connected and competitive," Dana Connors, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, said. Collins added, "As a native of Aroostook County, I know how important high-speed internet is to the vitality of rural communities." B I Z M O N E Y

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