Lincoln County to become the first all-fiber county in Maine thanks to $6M grant and partnership with Consolidated Communications

More than 38,000 homes and businesses will have access to multi-gig internet speeds thanks to partnership

PORTLAND, Maine - Sept. 6, 2024 - Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL), a leading broadband and business communications provider, is partnering with Lincoln County to bring fiber internet access to the area. The project received a $6 million grant that will help make Lincoln County the first all-fiber county in Maine.

"This investment is years in the making," said Kendra Jo Grindle, senior manager of Community & Regional Partnership for Maine Connectivity Authority. "The communities and leadership in Lincoln County remained steadfast in their prioritization of affordable, reliable internet for their residents and business, and with a strong partner in Consolidated Communications, we are excited to watch the impact of our grant investment shape the future of Lincoln County."

The grant was awarded by Maine Connectivity Authority's (MCA) board as part of the Partnerships for Enabling Middle Mile (PEMM) program. PEMM aims to address large-scale, regional broadband gaps through middle mile infrastructure and maximizing private and local financial contributions.

"This is huge progress for our rural county," said Mary Ellen Barnes, Lincoln County community digital planner. "Residents and businesses are on the internet every day - but only if they have a decent connection. With the PEMM grant, the State, Lincoln County and several towns have leveraged this major investment by Consolidated to cover thousands of locations, including homes that have no internet service right now. We are grateful for the dedication of these communities, the town managers, selectboards and voters who have been advocating for better broadband for decades. For us, this is about making a very essential service available throughout our many towns."

"There are many residents in these communities who have never had real broadband service," said Evan Goodkowsky, broadband infrastructure consultant for the Lincoln County project. "This partnership will bring life-changing access to telehealth, education and employment options that will help our communities thrive."

"Being a part of the first county in Maine where everyone has the opportunity for fast reliable communication will enable businesses to thrive, young people to complete their education and find rewarding work and allow people to age comfortable in their homes," said Judy Tunkle, broadband committee member for Dresden. "I am envisioning a future where Lincoln County will attract and retain young families, skilled workers and professional people. They will have the beauty of mid-coast Maine with the communications services that currently only exist in the big cities."

"Since moving to Waldoboro in 2012, connectivity has been a challenge for our region," said Reuben Mahar, volunteer broadband specialist for Waldoboro. "While we've made progress, many residents still lack reliable access, and thousands have no choice in their internet provider, leading to rising costs. This partnership between Consolidated Communications, the Maine Connectivity Authority, and our town is a game-changer. The new fiber infrastructure will empower everyone to learn, work, and receive healthcare in ways that were once unimaginable. Times have changed, and fast, affordable broadband is now essential for everyone and will be central to our economic and social well-being for the next century."

In addition to the grant from MCA, the project includes funding from Lincoln County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and more than $20 million investment from Consolidated. According to the MCA, this grant incorporates the highest percentage of financial commitment from any public-private partnership awarded through an MCA program to date.

While the grant will help fund fiber expansion to more than 14,000 locations in Lincoln County, Consolidated's total build will reach more than 38,000 homes and businesses across Wiscasset, Alna, Dresden, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport, Edgecomb, Waldoboro, Whitefield, Nobleboro, as well as Woolwich (part of Sagadahoc County).

"Working together with communities and the MCA, Consolidated is bringing more fiber to residents and business owners in Lincoln County, and across Maine," said Sarah Davis, vice president of Market Development for Consolidated. "Partnerships like this allow us to push our own fiber infrastructure investment further into under and unserved areas. Communities with access to fiber reap decades of benefits, like higher home values, better job opportunities, and even higher numbers of women starting their own businesses. Fiber communities are thriving communities, and we're proud to bring this vital infrastructure throughout Maine."

Today, more than 270,000 Maine homes and businesses have access to Consolidated's fiber internet service, Fidium, with more communities coming soon, Residents and businesses can learn more and get updates about future service availability at FidiumFiber.com.

About Consolidated Communications

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNSL) is dedicated to moving people, businesses and communities forward by delivering the most reliable fiber communications solutions. Consumers, businesses and wireless and wireline carriers depend on Consolidated for a wide range of high-speed internet, data, phone, security, cloud and wholesale carrier solutions. With a network spanning more than 63,000 fiber route miles, Consolidated is a top 10 U.S. fiber provider, turning technology into solutions that are backed by exceptional customer support.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.