Washington County...Connected!

all things broadband in Washington County

(and beyond)

IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, AS FEW AS 31% OF ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS HAVE ENROLLED IN THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVY PROGRAM

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. 

Enrollment has more than doubled in Washington County since April, but we still have many households to reach.

You can find out if you qualify without going through the entire application process!

Does your household qualify?

A STATELY TOUR OF BEAD PLANS

This week on the show, the discussion is about the BEAD 5-Year Plans that states are filing with NTIA to get their hands on the first tranche of what will be an historic pot of federal funds for new broadband investment.

"Some states, like Maine and Vermont are doing lots right. Others, like Pennsylvania, seem written with the intent to waste public money and leaves tens of thousands of households stranded with poor or no service - in other words, exactly what the monopoly cable and telephone companies want."

TURNING UNWANTED CORPORATE TECH INTO NEW TOOLS FOR PEOPLE IN NEED

give IT. get IT., a Waterville-based 501c3 organization converts unwanted business and agency technology into new tools for people whose annual household income is within 200% of the federal poverty level.

Since 2007, give IT. get IT. has offered complete e-waste recycling services with certified data destruction and auditable reports. Working with a network of downstream recycling partners, give IT. get IT. maintains a Zero Landfill Policy.

Reusable devices are refurbished with new operating systems and software to help people in need achieve their education or lifestyle goals. There’s no better or more sustainable way to dispose of surplus corporate tech!

SIX WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMUNITIES SUBMIT GRANT FOR FIBER CONNECTIVITY

The northern Washington County communities of Vanceboro, Lambert Lake, Waite, Talmadge, Topsfield, and Kossuth submitted to Maine Connectivity Authority a Connect the Ready Grant for fiber connectivity to every home and business that wants fiber access.

The communities partnered with Fidium Fiber at no cost to the communities. Grant award announcements will be made in November.

The National Digital Equity Center offers more than 40 free classes that are designed for the novice device user to the intermediate user. Classes are free for all Maine residents and can be taken in an online interactive format or in-person at locations across the state.

Is your community interested in digital equity and inclusion? Does your community have a location where an Affordable Connectivity outreach/enrollment event can take place? Would you like to know more about what broadband infrastructure improvements look like for your community? SCEC can assist - at no cost!