When:
Friday, June 25, 2021
9:00am-10:30am

Overview:
This is a watershed moment for broadband strategic planning throughout Maine. With a significant infusion of federal funding for broadband now available through the recent American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and various grant programs we have an unprecedented opportunity to advance broadband projects that align connectivity needs with education, health and economic development priorities.

The Maine Broadband Coalition, in collaboration with the Co-Hosts listed below, is leading an effort to convene broadband stakeholders at a state, county and local level to enhance capacity for county governments to plan, coordinate, secure funding for and ultimately execute broadband projects. We anticipate this event to be the first in an ongoing series of dialogues.

Co-Hosts:
FEMA Region 1 Covid-19 Long-Term Recovery Task Force, Maine Municipal Association, Maine School Management Association, Maine State Chamber, Maine County Commissioners Association, and Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)

Who Should Attend:
County administrators; state representatives; regional representatives from MEMA; representatives from Maine’s Economic Development Districts; representatives from county government, municipalities, utility districts, regional chambers of commerce, healthcare providers, and libraries; and school superintendents.

Format:
Zoom meeting with panel and discussion which will be recorded for wider distribution. Please Register here in advance.

Agenda:
A full agenda will be forthcoming, but highlights include:

• Overview of available broadband funding
• Why regional broadband planning is more important than ever
• Key considerations for effective multi-stakeholder regional planning
• Guidance on effective planning and elements of regional standardization including data, diverse stakeholder engagement, community knowledge transfer/capacity building and financing

To RSVP: Please complete the form here: https://forms.gle/f47vrRHLJ4uouozv6 in addition to registering via zoom so we can make the most of your time and effort. A zoom link will be provided to registered participants.

Contact: Andrew Butcher – Connect@MaineBroadbandCoalition.org