Maine Connectivity Authority, (MCA) received notice on Friday, May 9th that the Trump administation has terminated three grants totaling $35 million in funding for Maine.  These grants funded programs to “improve digital skills, provide internet safety education and ensure people have affordable devices,” according to a press release from MCA, the state agency leading an expansion of broadband and digital access.

This notification was part of a nationwide termination of grants across all states and terminations and 65 other organizations.

The elimination of this funding will disproportionately impact older, rural residents, small businesses, veterans, low-income households and students.  Programs funded through the awards ensure that all people have the skills and technology necessary to safely participate in an increasingly digital society.

$10 million was awarded to the MCA fund the Digital Opportunity Network grant program, a statewide device donation and refurbshment campaign and an educational platform for technical assistance.

$13 million was awarded to the National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) to provide digital skills training, technical support, telehealth access and affordable device programs.  NDEC was partnering with 19 organizations in this award.

$11 million was awarded to The Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) to provide STEM education, digital services for municipal governments, device programs, digital  skills education and business support programs.  GPCOG was partnering with 13 Regional and Wabanaki Broadband Partners.

“This announcement is deeply disappointding and MCA is explorings it options to respond to grant termination,” said MCA’s President Andrew Burcher.  “Our team is evaluating how best to proceed with critical and programming and investments currently underway through our statewide digital equity strategy,” Butcher added.

“These programs are not abstract policy initiatives —– they are lifelines for thousands of Maine residents who depend on digital access for education, healthcare, employment and basic communications,” said Kristina Egan, Executive Director of The Greater Portland Council of Governments.  “The digital divide is not just a technological challenge — it’s a fundamental issue of access and opportunty.  Maine cannot afford to take steps backward, said Egan.

The funding was awarded through the nearly $3 billion Digital Equality Act, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Joe Biden in 2021.  Trump has called the Law “racist” and  “illlegal.”

Nearly 130,000 people in Maine would have been directly served through these programs.