On Oct. 31, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Maine State Director Rhiannon Hampson announced a grant of $3.7 million to Direct Communications (formerly UniTel, Inc) to provide fiber optic internet service to Monroe and Jackson. The grant comes through USDA’s Community Connect Program, which helps provide high-speed internet to rural communities. It was one of 18 awards announced nationwide across 12 states. 

“The Biden-Harris Administration is making sure that no matter what your ZIP code, rural Maine residents and businesses can access high-speed internet,” said Director Hampson, in a news release. “This project will close a gap in Waldo County, in part by providing free access at a community center. We look forward to celebrating the nonprofit entity that steps forward to partner with Direct Communications to provide that space. This collaboration will provide an important new way for area residents to connect with each other while tapping free high-speed internet.” 

The Community Connect Program helps rural communities extend access where high-speed internet service is least likely to be commercially available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for rural people and businesses, the release said.

Nationwide, USDA announced $63.8 million in CCP grants Oct. 31. (View the full list of projects online.)

In Waldo County, Direct Communications plans to install direct fiber internet connections to more than 600 homes and 15 businesses in its service area.

The company expects to complete the project by the end of 2026, extending its high-speed service across the county. Residents who subscribe to the network will utilize gigabit fiberoptic internet service, expanding their access to economic, educational, health care and public safety opportunities. 

USDA requires recipients of CCP grants to use a portion of the funding to equip community centers that provide free high-speed internet service to area residents for at least two years. Nonprofits serving the Monroe and Jackson area that are interested in collaborating to provide such a community room should contact Tim May at Direct Communications to learn more (tim@directcom.com).