REGION — Community Concepts Finance Corporation (CCFC) and the Northern Forest Center are offering free equipment, installation, and maintenance of public access WiFi hotspots to up to four (4) towns, schools, public libraries, or nonprofits in the Maine West region.

The Pandemic has shined a bright light on the lack of universal internet access across Maine, especially in rural Maine. As the state and communities work to expand high-speed internet service to all Maine homes and businesses, WiFi hotspots represent a near-term solution to providing free public internet access to those who don’t have it. Often located in downtown centers, public parks, libraries, and schools, WiFi Hotspots are not designed to replace home or business internet service. Rather they are designed to provide convenient free internet access to the public for short periods of time – filling the gap for people who don’t otherwise have service, helping people save on cellular data, and generally making public spaces more appealing for young people and adults.

With funding provided by the Northern Border Regional Commission and USDA Rural Development, the Maine West Community Hotspot program is designed to support a network of WiFi access points in communities across the Maine West region. Applicants should have a general location in mind that provides easy public access to WiFi service. Additional technical details can be worked out as part of the program. To be eligible, though, applicants much be:

• Located in the Maine West region – towns in SAD44, SAD17, RSU10, and RSU56;
• Willing to provide internet service to the hotspot through direct funding or private sponsorships; and
• Able to provide proof of general liability insurance.

If you’re interested in expanding public internet access in your community and fit these criteria, please contact Mia Purcell at [email protected] or 207-418-0179.