Broadband in Maine has been rolling out at a steady clip but the final push into its most remote areas could be expensive, cautions Economics professor emeritus, Charlie Colgan. As GovTech reports, Colgan spoke at a video conference for Mereda, a Maine real estate development group, commenting that it will take a boost in funding to keep extending broadband. Continued broadband expansion is a boon to the real estate industry as it makes housing further away from urban hubs more practical and desirable according to analysts.
Kerem Durdag, CEO at Maine telecom GWI (Great Works Internet) said that a good digital connection can add three to six percent to a home’s value.
Although the state is slated for $2.5 billion in federal funds, Colgan said, “We could get more than $2.47 billion if we are good at competing for it, but it’s not going to be enough. We’ll need to use federal money to add to, not replace, local money.”
Funding received by Maine is expected to address new connections, maintenance and upgrades of existing broadband delivery, and road and bridge upkeep which dilutes dollars available to each individual arena. Despite concerns about the cost to continue, Maine is making headway. The current estimate is that 35,000 residents still lack connectivity, down from 86,000 the year before, according to GovTech.
“It’s a once in a generational opportunity for us as a state to lever up infrastructure that brings us to the 21st century,” stated Durdag. “I say 21st century because there are still people in Maine who have to live off of dial-up because no infrastructure exists where they are.”
Maine is just one of many states jockeying for federal funds. Professor Colgan noted that it will need to be prepared to compete with other states for available monies, and will still need to include state level funding in order to deliver on the promise of broadband for all residents.
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