"The money is manna from heaven - it's a Thanksgiving gift," Leah Binder, FCHN vice president

FARMINGTON - The Federal Communications Commission has awarded $3,601,326 to Franklin Community Health Network, the HealthReach Community Health Centers and Central Maine Healthcare for high-speed Internet service.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, made the announcement Tuesday.

Initially, fiber optic cable will be added at Franklin Memorial Hospital, Rockomeka Family Practice in Livermore Falls, Bethel Area Health Center, Belgrade Regional Health Center, Western Maine Family Health Center in Livermore Falls and Bridgton and Rumford hospitals.

The cable will be extended to Strong Area Health Center, Mt. Abram Regional Health Center in Kingfield and Rangeley Region Health Center in 2010.

Network Vice President Leah Binder said the service will have a direct impact on health care because physicians and nurse practitioners will have access to the latest medical technology and educational opportunities, and patient information from their homes while on call, she said.

"Not only will there be an impact on the quality of care but also on the life of the community," she added. "Businesses in Maine, especially in rural areas cannot keep up without tools (such as broadband access) that people in urban areas have," she said.

Once the infrastructure is in place, in approximately a year, more area businesses and people will also be able to subscribe to high-speed Internet service.

"This was part of FCHN President and CEO Richard Batt's long-term vision," Binder said, "a dream come true as he believes the health of a community belongs in its economic future and without broadband, the area is left in the dark."

Batt was unavailable for comment Wednesday.

Binder said he has been working the past 12 years to help with the economic development of the area.

"The money is manna from heaven - it's a Thanksgiving gift," she said, adding that "once Batt heard last January that the funds would be available, he pulled together a group of top-notch people to put together a strong proposal for the FCC."

FMH has taken the lead on the project and will serve as administrator, said Ralph Johnson, chief information officer for FMH, but the grant will fund a coordinated network and provide funding for equipment for each organization to join.

The hospital shares a lot of educational programs with Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, and this will help provide more educational opportunities between the organizations. Students from Central Maine School of Nursing who are working at FMH will have the opportunity to video conference and enhance their class time, he said.