Report: More broadband could add 11,000 jobs
A state task force studying expansion of broadband Internet access in the state has issued recommendations that analysts said could support the addition of 11,000 jobs and $70 million in new state revenue if implemented.
The report from the Governor’s Broadband Capacity Building Task Force makes eight policy recommendations for the state: help business move online with a three-year tax credit for Internet-related staff training and marketing expenses; boost the number of elderly receiving home care through MaineCare; educate more health data specialists; offer 25% of all University of Maine courses online by 2015; provide all elementary and high school students an Internet-connected device; shift government administrative functions online; install fiber-optic cable along the Maine Turnpike to make it a “smart” road; and expand the Maine Universal Service Fund to support broadband expansion as well as telephone service.
The group estimates that 50,000 Maine homes are still without broadband access and it will cost $60 million to expand service to them. In general, the group says the private sector could take on more of these costs if state policy encourages an increase in the rate of adoption where broadband is available. Now, around 75% of households subscribe to broadband Internet where it is available.
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