BOWDOINHAM

The process to bring broadband to Bowdoinham has been much like current internet speeds in town — slow.

That doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon, as the town awaits word on whether it will get funding needed to improve connectivity. The impact of that is that at least 140 households in town will continue to lack access.

The town applied for a $50,000 ConnectME grant in March to implement a strategy to connect households currently without high-speed internet. The state-run program awards the grants to help get areas with limited broadband access the service.

The town is now stuck awaiting word on the funds before it moves forward.

So what’s creating the lag?

ConnectME has put the planning grants on hold while it works with providers to create a centralized map to determine broadband needs. Forty-four percent of the money was for mapping projects; the program is expected to reopen once it knows how much information is available.

“The town will continue to remain in contact with ConnectME on their process and what the town may need to do when they are ready to re-open the planning grants,” said Bowdoinham Planning and Development Director Nicole Briand.

Bowdoinham officials had been working with Lincolnville Communications representatives in anticipation of addressing internet access. The grant funds would pay to develop a plan to expand broadband service in town.

Now at the beginning of June, the town was supposed to have heard back on its March application at the end of April.

One of the main obstacles to providing access in Bowdoinham is the cost to providers to link the service to households there. The impact of improving broadband in town could be greater than just linking homes to the service. In previous planning meetings, it was noted it could also create more opportunity for commercial enterprises.

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