Closing the Broadband Availability Gap and Support the Development of a Five-Year Action Plan

Description

Purpose: The Purpose of This Grant Is to Support Closing the Broadband Availability Gap and Support the Development of a Five-Year Action Plan.the Proposed Project Includes the Following Planning and Pre-Deployment Activities: Research and Data Collection, Including Initial Identification of Unserved Locations and Underserved Locations Consistent with Rules, Regulations, and Processes Commission Has Established for Making Determinations in Broadband Data Maps; the Development of a Preliminary Budget for Pre-Planning Activities; Publications, Outreach, and Communications Support; Providing Technical Assistance to Potential Subgrantees, Including Through Workshops and Events; Training for Employees of Broadband Program or Office of Eligible Entity or Employees or Political Subdivisions of Eligible Entity, and Related Staffing Capacity or Consulting or Contracted Support to Effectuate Goals of Bead Program; Establishing, Operating, or Increasing Capacity of a Broadband Office That Oversees Broadband Programs and Broadband Deployment in an Eligible Entity; Asset Mapping Across the Eligible Entity to Catalogue Broadband Adoption, Affordability, Equity, Access and Deployment Activities Occurring Within the Eligible Entity; Conducting Surveys of Unserved, Underserved, and Underrepresented Communities to Better Understand Barriers to Adoption; Costs Associated with Meeting the Local Coordination Requirements in Section IV.C.1.C of This Nofo Including Capacity Building at the Local and Regional Levels or Contracted Support; and Reasonable Post-Nofo, Pre-Award Expenses <$100,000 Relating to Preparation of Program Submissions or Adding Additional Capacity in Preparation for Bead Program.expected Outcomes: The Outcomes of Maine's Proposed Project, a State-Managed Umbrella Project, "All-IN to Get Internet for All (All-IN Maine),"are a Comprehensive Five Year Action Plan; and More Specifically, Ensuring That Maine Maximizes the Impact of Planning Efforts, Ensuring That Maine Is Targeting the Highest Needs Areas and Making Data-Informed Decisions and Investments, Engaging and Informing Maine Residents and Communities About Maine's Broadband Planning Efforts; Ensuring a Public and Transparent Process and Capturing Ideas and Feedback from a Diverse Range of People; Empowering More Maine Communities to Engage in Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment; and Supporting Workforce Development and Targeted Research to Maximize Impact Accelerated Education, Training, and Employment Opportunities to Develop the Talent Needed for Building Broadband Infrastructure.intended Beneficiaries: The Intended Beneficiaries Are Unserved and Underserved Groups in the State of Maine with a Focus on Rural and Unserved Populations.subrecipient Activities: The Recipient Does Not Intend to Subaward Funds.