Andrew Butcher is president of the Maine Connectivity Authority.

Over the past five years, Maine has made historic investments in broadband. Tens of thousands of homes and businesses once lacking reliable access are now connected or soon will be. However, building networks is only half of the battle.

The next challenge is ensuring these investments translate into jobs, education, healthcare and stronger communities.

Connectivity is not a “set it and forget it” issue in our modern era. A year ago, the federal government terminated $35 million in funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that was appropriated and awarded to help everyone in Maine build digital skills, access affordable devices and navigate the internet safely. Without this support, we risk leaving communities behind, in particular those most vulnerable, and undermining the value of the infrastructure we have already paid for.

Maine has made tremendous progress, establishing connections for 120,000 homes and businesses statewide using over $300 million in state, federal and private investment. However, building networks is only part of the solution — many Maine residents still face barriers to using the internet meaningfully.

These kinds of challenges can be particularly daunting for people living in rural areas where there are few public access points, for older adults who did not grow up using digital technology, for disabled individuals who may need specialized equipment and for households facing financial barriers.

Maine was a pioneer, publishing the nation’s first statewide plan to bridge this divide. Our leaders recognized that connectivity only matters if people can use it to find work, complete an education or attend a telehealth appointment. But just as we began implementing this strategy, the federal funding vanished.

The challenge remains: communities need more than just access points. They need the tools to thrive in a digital economy. Fortunately, Maine people, businesses, local organizations and policymakers are resilient and creative. There is a widespread understanding that digital opportunity isn’t optional — it is essential for our workforce and small businesses.

The Maine Connectivity Authority is now working with partners statewide to co-create a roadmap for digital opportunity. We are identifying needs and resources to ensure everyone can communicate, collaborate and compete online. This isn’t a task for one organization alone. To succeed, we need individuals and communities to advocate for those still on the wrong side of the divide.

Digital opportunity is how Maine protects its broadband investment — ensuring infrastructure delivers real results for people today while finishing the job for those left behind. Learn more about our process, and take the five-minute survey now: www.maineconnectivity.org/vision.