Community Facilities Receive $3.3 Million to Make Connectivity Work for Maine People

Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA), the public agency expanding connectivity and digital opportunity statewide, announces $3.3 million in grant awards for capital improvements to make economic and social opportunity possible for individuals and communities through digital access. New awardees include the Maine State Library, the Bangor Public Library, and all branches of the Portland Public Library. The grants are part of MCA’s Connectivity Hubs program, which helps community anchor institutions – such as libraries, community centers, municipal and tribal buildings – provide workforce training, education, and telehealth services in areas and among populations most impacted by barriers to reliable internet connectivity. More than $700,000 will expand the services offered by the three Area Reference & Resource Centers (ARRC) in Maine: Bangor Public Library, Maine State Library, and Portland Public Library. Through this funding, all three facilities will be able to advance digital services including access to high speed fiber internet, public access computers, and digital skills support, including 1:1 technology assistance and formal classes. All awardees have committed to completing capital improvements by December 2026 as mandated by the program's federal funding source: ARPA Capital Projects Fund (CPF). MCA received approval from CPF administrators to reallocate CPF funds awarded to Maine to invest further in existing Connectivity Hub grantees and to add new hubs based in public libraries. With the December deadline in mind, MCA worked with Maine State Library and other partners to identify eligible projects that could quickly deploy remaining federal funds.