Broadband & Digital Inclusion
Municipal Digital Security and Scam Prevention
Cyber attacks, internet fraud, scams and phishing attempts are on the rise and continue to develop new and more sophisticated methods every day. Both Maine and communities nationwide have seen a recent wave of fraud activity in the municipal space by cyber criminals impersonating planning boards to trick permit applicants into paying additional fees online. Municipalities need to be aware and remain vigilant to internet crimes like these to protect their communities.
Learn about how municipalities are addressing digital security:
Fraud Alert: How Scammers Are Now Impersonating City Governments (APA Planning Magazine)
Small Towns, Big Targets: Rethinking Cybersecurity Policy for Rural Communities (Aspen Digital)
Municipal Digital Resources and Opportunities:
State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
State of Maine Cybersecurity Plan
Let us know your municipal digital needs by completing this survey
Broadband Planning and Community-Driven Infrastructure Solutions for Municipalities
SMPDC can help facilitate 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.
Municipal Online Accessibility
Municipalities can promote equity and transparency for their constituents by ensuring that residents with disabilities can fully access public information and services online.
While the DOJ requirement for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) only applies to state and local governments serving populations over 50,000, this blog article on Digital Accessibility for WCAG Compliance by the American Planning Association can help towns assess the accessibility of their online resources to identify areas for improvement.
Learn how to create accessible digital content:
Creating Accessibly Content Training (Maine CITE)
Internet Accessibility Guide (State of Maine)
Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA (ADA.gov)
Introduction to Web Accessibility (W3C Web Accessibility Initiative)
BEAD Program Awards
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. BEAD award activities will take place between 2026 and 2029.
Southern Maine Digital Inclusion Plan
At the onset of the RWBP Program in 2023, SMPDC created the original York County Region Digital Inclusion Plan 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 provided input from the Coalition on the barriers to digital equity in the region, and made recommendations for future broadband investment in York County over the course of the three-year RWBP program.
With three years of experience serving the mission of advancing digital inclusion in our region, SMPDC turned to its Coalition members and other community leaders with shared interests in digital inclusion for their input to inform the development of the 2026 Southern Maine Digital Inclusion Plan revision. These discussions identified the commonalities observed in each other's work and how institutions can work together to develop and implement strategies for bridging the digital divide in their communities.
Regional & Wabanaki Broadband Partnership Program (2023-2025)
In times of ever-progressing advancements in digital opportunities and technology, many communities in Southern Maine and Nationwide are rapidly falling behind in keeping up with the changes of the 21st century. Among the communities most strongly affected by this digital divide are older adults, persons living with disabilities, rural residents, low-income households, individuals with a language barrier, and other vulnerable demographic groups. Maine communities face challenges from rising internet costs and connection dead zones to persistent cybersecurity threats and the uncertain evolution of AI technology. These challenges extend beyond households to impact local businesses, regional workforce municipal operations and community wellbeing as well.
As part of Maine Connectivity Authority's 2023-2025 Regional and Wabanaki Broadband Partners (RWBP) program, SMPDC served as one of several partners coordinating region-wide efforts to accomplish statewide goals for the advancement of digital opportunity and broadband internet availability. This initiative was developed to create a stakeholder infrastructure for planning the increase and improvement of internet access by convening community partner institutions with vested interest in bridging the digital divide in our communities throughout the greater York county region. Together with these partners, SMPDC formed the York County Regional Digital Inclusion Coalition. The founding goals and activities of this coalition were informed by the diverse, on-the-ground experience of community partners who share a deep understanding of Southern Maine's digital needs through their work serving Mainers in our region.
This program was funded by the Digital Equity Act of 2021 and guided by the shared guidance of York County Regional Digital Inclusion Coalition members. Although this program has come to a close, SMPDC recognizes the ongoing need for collaborative efforts to address the challenges Maine communities continue to face in the digital world.
