Broadband & Digital Inclusion

In early 2023, SMPDC kicked off efforts to advance broadband expansion and digital inclusion throughout the greater York county region. Our organization is one of several Regional and Wabanaki Broadband Partners working with the Maine Connectivity Authority to create a stakeholder infrastructure for planning the increase and improvement of internet access in our project area. The project is made of us several pieces, all of which work together to accomplish the statewide broadband goals. 

This program is funded and guided by the Digital Equity Act of 2021. 



Southern Maine Digital Opportunity Summit

SMPDC is teaming up with GPCOG to hold our 3rd annual Southern Maine Digital Opportunity Summit this Friday, December 12th in Gorham! The goal of this year’s summit is to encourage and inspire Maine’s next wave of digital opportunity by showcasing Maine’s digital inclusion successes, stories, and multi-sector partnerships. Join us to celebrate all the work and successes that our region has seen for digital inclusion!

This year’s summit will focus on propelling the continuation of community-driven digital opportunity, as the next wave of digital inclusion efforts will rely on the collective work and advocacy of all community leaders who call Maine home. It will be for a day of community building, thought-provoking conversation, expert panels, resource sharing, and local refreshments and lunch. Those interested can learn more and register for this event online. Registration, lunch and parking are free, as well as morning refreshments.

 

BEAD Awards Announced!

High speed internet service is coming to communities in our region and statewide with support from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program and additional internet service provider resources. The BEAD Program is a once-in-a-lifetime infrastructure investment with the ambitious goal of connecting all Americans that currently lack high-speed internet access. The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA), Maine’s broadband agency, was awarded $272 million in BEAD grant funds by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and engaged in a comprehensive, in-depth process to award these funds in Maine.

To see where BEAD funding for broadband infrastructure will be distributed in your community, go to maineconnectivity.org/bead-process.

 

Digital Inclusion Plan & Implementation 

The York County Region Digital Inclusion Plan was created in 2023 by SMPDC with the support of input from the York Region Digital Inclusion Coalition, a group of regional stakeholders who have various ties to digital equity, disadvantages communities, or intersections of internet access with essential services, education, and the local economy. This plan provides input from the Coalition on the barriers to digital equity in the region, and make recommendations for future broadband investment in York County.  

 

With three years of experience serving the mission of advancing digital inclusion in our region, SMPDC is once again gathering insights from Coalition members and other community leaders with shared interests in digital inclusion to inform the development of the 2025 Southern Maine Digital Inclusion Plan Update. These discussions identify the commonalities observed in each other's work and how institutions can work together to develop strategies for bridging the digital divide in their communities. This initiative began with the gathering of organizations serving seniors, where the group discussed hard topics around the challenges that seniors face pertaining to internet crime, loneliness, and the high-speed advancement of technology. In the coming months, SMPDC and Upward Consulting will be convening representatives of other sectors, including the Adult Education system, to facilitate similar discussions around the digital needs of people throughout our community. These meetings create space to better understand the current needs and social landscape around this important issue in our region and begin identifying potential priorities and strategies to address the concerns raised by partners.

 

 

What is digitalequity & inclusion? 

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance definition of digital equity and inclusion includes: 

    • Affordable, robust broadband internet service 
    • Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user 
    • Access to digital literacy training (aka, one’s ability to operate an internet-enabled device and access essential services) 
    • Quality technical support 
    • Applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation and collaboration 

 

The Digital Equity Act defines specific “covered populations” which are of a particular focus for equity and inclusion due to the added barriers they face to accessing the internet. These populations include, but are not limited to:  

    • Individuals living in households with incomes at or below 150% of the poverty line 
    • Individuals 60 years of age or older 
    • Veterans 
    • Individuals living with one or more disabilities 
    • Individuals with barriers to the English language (including English language learners and those with low literacy) 
    • Members of racial and ethnic minority groups 
    • Individuals residing in rural areas 
    • Individuals incarcerated in a nonfederal correctional facility 

 

Broadband Planning and Community-Driven Infrastructure Solutions for Municipalities 

In addition to the Digital Equity Plan, SMPDC facilitates conversations with municipalities, regional employers, and internet service providers to extend reliable, affordable internet access throughout York County.  

 

To learn about the Broadband service availability in your area, visit maineconnectivity.org/chart or search for service providers by address at broadbandmap.fcc.gov.