Category: In the news

Broadband is having a moment, both here in Maine and at the federal level. State and local officials have been talking about broadband expansion for a long time. The discussion and the demonstrated need surrounding high-speed internet access — a need that is particularly great in Maine’s more rural areas — have far outmatched the public investment.… Read more »

The world celebrated its first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, and for its 51st anniversary local environmentalists and leaders were hoping to spread around their suggestions for how they care for the planet and how Mainers can do their part. Sam Belknap of the Island Institute’s Climate Solutions team said everyone can do simple… Read more »

ROCKLAND—As mud season is full underway, little pops of color in nature are turning up on roadsides and gardens. As part of Artists & Makers Week hosted by the Island Institute’s retail store Archipelago, little pops of color also appeared in artist Kim Bernard’s email inbox—the result of daily art prompts she put out to… Read more »

ROCKLAND—The Island Institute and its retail store, Archipelago are champions of the Midcoast’s creative economy and sponsors of the past in-person Artist and Makers Conferences. This year due to the pandemic, they’ve spun in a new direction, creating a virtual Creative Economy Hub for the week of April 5 to 9, 2021. Organizer Lisa Mossel Vietze… Read more »

As with many other services and policy discussions, the COVID-19 pandemic has both emphasized and magnified the need to expand broadband access. That may sound trite, but it’s true. Internet connectivity has come to be a requirement in so many aspects of life: in business, in education, in health care, in growing the economy. While… Read more »

The longtime leader at the Island Institute is moving on from his 18-year tenure with the Rockland nonprofit, eight of those as president. Rob Snyder will leave at the end of April for a job in the private sector. Effective March 15, Rob Beams, chief operating officer at the Island Institute, will serve as interim president. Snyder’s… Read more »

Gov. Janet Mills’ proposal to add $1.8 million to Maine’s supplemental budget, earmarked for mapping and technical support, is being hailed by business and development leaders as necessary to help the state recover from the pandemic, as well as bolster the state’s economic growth. The supplemental budget money will help pinpoint geographic areas in need… Read more »

SULLIVAN — The $900 billion coronavirus relief bill President Trump signed on Dec. 27 includes $7 billion to help expand broadband access. The funding, which includes a subsidy of up to $50 per month for eligible families to help pay for internet services and $300 million to expand rural broadband access, is intended to help keep Americans… Read more »

Last month, the Mills administration awarded $5.6 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to connect more than 700 students and teachers in rural Maine with high-speed internet service to support remote learning. The ongoing public-private partnership, dubbed ConnectKidsNow!, involved seven internet service providers, 71 towns and a two-month window. It also provided a few lessons for… Read more »

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – The Maine State Chamber of Commerce held a webinar today about the future of high-speed internet access. Government, civic, and industry leaders discussed the challenges and potential solutions to rural internet access in Maine. The meeting highlighted the importance of internet access for education, the economy, and social services. In July,… Read more »