Peggy Schaffer

Maine has funded projects that will provide high-speed Internet to tens of thousands of homes that lack it now, but stiff competition for federal funding and economic problems may slow progress down.

Officials in Maine estimate that the state could get about $500 million in federal and state funds to bring high-speed Internet to the 78,000 locations in the state that lack broadband.

ConnectMaine Executive Director Peggy Schaffer discusses her role within Maine government, the challenges and opportunities offered by the pandemic, and getting broadband to the state’s rural areas.