A Connected Maine Made Possible Point-by-Point 


When the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) was established in 2021, the broadband data landscape was changing. For the first time, precise, point-level data could show internet service availability at the scale of individual homes and businesses, not just generalized access across Census blocks. 

This new level of detail changed what was possible in the pursuit of MCA’s mission: achieving universal broadband availability. Instead of relying on estimates or assumptions, MCA could identify exactly where gaps existed — not just in theory, but on the ground, property by property. That clarity made it possible to ask and answer critical questions like:

  • Where exactly is broadband still unavailable?
  • Who’s being left out?
  • And how can we fix it fast?

downloadMCA was ready to meet the moment, but they needed an improved data infrastructure behind the scenes to harness this new influx of precision data and ensure a historic $272 million in federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding reached the people that needed it most.

With the right foundation, Maine had the chance to lead on universal broadband access. Not just in where service is delivered, but in how those decisions are made.

OUR APPROACH

GIS Infrastructure To Close the Digital Divide

Building effective GIS for broadband requires integration, adaptability, and deep alignment with mission and operations. The Center for Geospatial Solutions (CGS) partnered with MCA to create a single, unified geospatial system built on esri ArcGIS. But this wasn’t just a technical upgrade; it was about building long-term capacity.

Broadband service worker installing an internet modem.

Together, we helped MCA:
●    Bring all broadband data into one place
●    Set up flexible internal workflows to track grants and programs
●    Make it easier for staff to analyze, visualize, and act on information
●    Train their team so they could adapt and expand the system over time

Today, MCA has the geospatial infrastructure and capacity to design tools that serve both internal decision-makers and the communities they serve. The result is a GIS system purpose-built for broadband: flexible, scalable, and fully aligned with MCA’s mission.

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With better access to authoritative data, streamlined systems, and smart scripting support from the CGS team, we’re spending less time chasing layers and more time focusing on what matters: meaningful analysis and forward progress. With CGS’s help, we’ve turned disjointed data into tools that drive decision-making, equity, and trust.

Meghan Grabill
Meghan Grabill
Director of Research & Data, MCA

A Clearer Picture and Process for Smarter Funding

The BEAD Map is helping Maine take the guesswork out of broadband planning. Built to support federal funding decisions at every stage of a project, it provides a clear, up-to-date view of which areas are already connected and which still need attention. On the surface, this broadband mapping tool ensures every location can be accounted for, and the data is visual, intuitive, and regularly updated.

Image of a dashboard.

Behind the scenes, an integrated and modernized data infrastructure has transformed how MCA works with broadband providers and applicants to distribute BEAD funding. Applicants can now view and interact with their own data directly, while internal reviewers can pull everything into one place for easier and faster review, comparison, and decision-making.

Building Toward Complete Connectivity

Modern mapping tools and data systems have transformed how Maine plans, funds, and tracks broadband access, but the work isn’t over. MCA is now building on this foundation to measure impact over time, layer in new data sources, and keep the public informed every step of the way. As federal funding moves from planning to implementation, MCA is leading with transparency, equity, and real-time insight, powered by a geospatial system built to grow with the mission.

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Let's Rise to the Challenge

CGS is a group of passionate problem solvers with a deep understanding of the complex issues facing our world today – and an even deeper enthusiasm for tackling them. This, combined with our belief in the power of technology to improve communities and our planet, guides our work.

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