Collins, King Announce $500,000 to Support Passamaquoddy Broadband Access

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township will be awarded $500,000 to improve high-speed Internet access for tribal members. This investment was made through the National Telecommunications & Information Administration’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), which was funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law.

Senator Collins, the Ranking Member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, was part of the core group of 10 Senators who negotiated the text of the bipartisan infrastructure law.  Senators Collins and King both worked to negotiate and pass this historic legislation, which will deliver billions of dollars to Maine for investments in broadband, roads, bridges, and more.

“From spurring economic development and employment opportunities to supporting telemedicine and education, access to affordable, high-speed Internet is critical to the vitality of rural communities,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This investment from the bipartisan infrastructure law will help more members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe to reap the benefits of broadband.  We are pleased to see the continued impact of this bipartisan legislation to help close the digital divide and support Maine’s Tribal communities.”

The TBCP offers grants to eligible Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian entities for high-speed internet deployment, digital inclusion, workforce development, telehealth, and distance learning.  The Passamaquoddy Tribe’s Broadband Use and Adoption project will help to create and implement digital inclusion, distance learning, and telehealth and telework programs for the benefit of tribal members.

The bipartisan infrastructure law is expected to deliver approximately $2.5 billion to Maine over the next five years for critical broadband, transportation, energy, and environmental projects.

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