Updated: July 17, 2025
How To
How to benefit from Maine's recent broadband expansion
By Andrew Butcher, Maine Connectivity Authority
The internet isn’t just a utility — it is increasingly essential to prosper in society. In 2024, Maine reached a critical infrastructure milestone: an internet connection is now available to all Mainers who want one.
Over the past four years, the state invested more than $250 million in broadband infrastructure, launched a variety of programs and projects, and increased statewide connectivity by 26%. This investment is transformational for one of the most rural states in the country, and more expansion is underway for 2025.
However, access alone does not close the digital divide. According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 89% of Mainers still face barriers such as limited digital skills, outdated devices, or lack of awareness about available resources. Addressing these challenges is essential to unlocking the full economic and social benefits of connectivity. Maine’s investment in broadband is building stronger communities, healthier families, and a more sustainable economy. But its real value lies in how we choose to use it, and more Mainers need to lean into the benefits of connectivity.
Expand access to remote work
Today, over half of all job applications are submitted online, often through platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter. With broader broadband coverage, more Mainers can access national and global labor markets — particularly remote work opportunities that previously bypassed rural talent pools. Digital upskilling initiatives across the state are helping residents qualify for these roles, offering increased income potential without requiring relocation. Mainers can now compete for remote jobs — growing income and opportunity while staying rooted in their communities.
Drive small business growth
Small businesses comprise 99% of Maine’s economy and are the backbone of our local communities. Enhanced internet access empowers them to scale their reach beyond local markets. With robust digital tools — such as e-commerce platforms, online marketing and cloud-based services — businesses can increase visibility, streamline operations, and reach customers nationwide. Strategic digital adoption is now a key differentiator in business resilience and growth.
Enhance educational attainment
Nationwide, more than 50% of college students take at least one online course, and many complete their degrees fully online. Among Maine’s nearly three dozen colleges and universities, one-third now offer virtual learning options. For working adults, parents, and traditional students alike, expanded internet access opens pathways to lifelong learning, professional certification, and career advancement — critical drivers in a knowledge-based economy.
Improve health care access
The closure of rural hospitals in Maine has made health care access increasingly difficult, particularly for seniors, individuals with mobility limitations, and those without transportation. In response, telehealth adoption is rising, providing vital access to primary care and specialist consultations. This shift reduces travel time and costs, increases early intervention, and improves public health outcomes — particularly in underserved regions. Reliable broadband is now a public health imperative, not a luxury.
Address workforce challenges
Maine faces a demographic headwind: more residents retire each year than move into the state to replace them. This dynamic poses a long-term economic risk to Maine’s economy. Our state’s expanding broadband infrastructure can help reverse this trend by making it more attractive and easier for younger workers to live, work, and raise families in Maine. Remote-capable infrastructure is increasingly a factor in where professionals choose to reside.
Leverage community spaces and places
Across Maine, dozens of public connectivity hubs offer secure Wi-Fi and digital devices to individuals without reliable internet access. These hubs — typically located in libraries, schools and nonprofits — serve as critical bridges to the digital economy. Ten new hubs have been funded since 2021, from Lewiston to Presque Isle, helping residents engage with the digital tools and services necessary for economic participation.
Connectivity as catalyst
Internet access is no longer a convenience — it is foundational infrastructure for economic development, workforce readiness, and community resilience. Maine’s investment in broadband is already reshaping its future, but it’s true impact will depend on how effectively individuals, businesses, and institutions leverage this new capacity.
Mainebiz web partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments