Maine

Maine Report Highlights Progress Despite Federal Funding Uncertainty

Despite the administration’s withholding funding under the Digital Equity Act in 2025, the report notes progress on last mile deployment.

Eric Urbach

Jan 14, 2026 — 2 min read

Photo of Subsea Cable Laying in Isle au Haut, Maine from Maine Connectivity Authority

Jan. 14, 2026 – The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) released its 2025 impact report highlighting that it has given or improved broadband access to more than 135,000 households and businesses across the state.

This accomplishment, three years in the making, has occurred despite changes to the federal funding landscape including the termination of $35m allocated through the Digital Equity Act and changes to Maine’s BEAD program allocation, according to the report.

“Like many organizations and public agencies, MCA has had to quickly adapt and evolve – to not abandon our strategy and values nor ignore the real changes in the funding landscape,” said Andrew Butcher, president of MCA in the report. “There are now 135,000 homes and businesses in Maine with high speed internet because of MCA and a network of hundreds of partners and collaborators”