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| June-July 2008
ISSUE 17 -IN THIS ISSUE: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS— Gov. Baldacci talks about his one-stop-shop Veterans healthcare centers 1st district Congressional Candidate Pingree - experience makes a difference Maine’s House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree talks candidly about the Legislature MAINE INITIATIVES— North Star Alliance helping Maine Built Boats create sustainable jobs Maine’s Quality of Place - the state’s key resource- a new report shows the way forward MAINE COMMUNITY NEWS— Northern Irish Delegation visits to study ME’s creative economy HEALTHCARE NEWS— Dirigo Choice is now sustainable, for just 5 cents per beer Gov. Baldacci talks about his one-stop-shop Veterans healthcare centers Universal Health Care is Congressman Allen's plan MAINE AS 'ONE COMMUNITY' NEWS— Gov. Conference on energy efficiency announces new loans ME's correctional system is undergoing consolidation- saving property taxes MAINE'S INNOVATIVE ECONOMY— Ethanol instead of gas- takes major step forward, New lobster business helping sustain the industry Pine Tree Zones bringing jobs to Maine MAINE ECONOMIC NEWS— JOBS – Maine’s working hard creating high paying jobs Railroads make a come back - Gov. Baldacci talks about the economic opportunities refurbished railroad lines will bring Bridge repair & replacement will create thousands of jobs across Maine Barclays Bank & other call centers are bringing jobs to Maine MAINE VOICES— Eric Mehert on the loss of our basic democratic rights ELECTION YEAR NEWS— Sam Spencer on superdelegates
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Statistical information in this publication is obtained from state agencies and government offices. All photographs, articles, and layout are by Ramona du Houx unless otherwise indicated. Not authorized by any candidate, candidate’s committee, or the Maine Democratic Party |
Broadband news for consumers—
With funds
allocated by the 123rd legislature super high speed broadband will be avalible at UM,
Bowdoin and Bates colleges as well as reserach labs
Article and Photo byRam ona du HouxThe University of Maine System has hired Oxford Networks of Lewiston, to provide the state’s universities and the Jackson Laboratory with the broadband Internet capacity to become more competitive with research and educational institutions globally. Oxford Networks will provide the connectivity by extending its network infrastructure 140 miles south to the Internet 2 network in Boston. Internet 2 is an advanced, super high-capacity nationwide broadband network for research and educational purposes. "The Jackson Laboratory is extremely excited about this, the final leg of our high-speed connectivity to the Internet and Internet 2," said Scott McNeil, Jackson Lab’s chief information officer. "The culmination of this portion of the route is key to our success and that of the University of Maine System." Most digital Internet subscribers receive Internet information at one megabyte per second. Oxford Networks expects to provide UMS and Jackson Lab with fiber-optic connections of ten gigabytes per second. That’s 10,000 times faster than normal subscribers. At that speed thousands of photographs could be transmitted on the Internet in a single second. Valuable research data could literally be sent and received instantaneously saving researchers time. "Believe me, that’s significantly fast," said McNeil. This expanded Internet access will help attract researchers and federal research funding to the state. "This fiber-optic-based research and education network is a powerful tool that solidifies Maine’s appeal and potential as a high-tech center of research, development and commercialization of products, technologies and ideas," said UMS Chancellor Richard Pattenaude’s. Oxford Networks will provide Bowdoin College in Brunswick and Bates College in Lewiston access to Internet 2. Other nonprofit research entities such as Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor will also have access to the broadband network. "This expansion of broadband Internet capacity will allow Maine colleges, such as Bates, to keep pace with the explosion of knowledge in other more densely populated states," said Lewiston Rep. Elaine Makas who also is a professor at Bates. "High-speed Internet capabilities will level the academic playing field for Maine students, while allowing them to enjoy the added benefits of living in this wonderful state with all of its natural beauty. It will also offer that same luxury as a lure for talented faculty." In Brunswick, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, UMS, and Bowdoin College have plans to expand onto the former Naval Air Station. This broadband enhancement will help with their growth. "This is another great economic development tool in our toolbox that will attract 21st-century businesses to the area," said Brunswick Rep. Stan Gerzofsky. "Being competitive in today’s global economy means our educational institutions and high-tech businesses need efficient broadband capacity." Funds for the project will come from Governor Baldacci’s $4.9 million broadband network investment package for Maine research and educational institutions that was approved last year with $3 million from the 123rd Legislature. Jackson Lab, a nonprofit acclaimed lab, known for genetics and disease research, invested $1.9 million into the project. As educational facilities statewide expand and are enhanced with broadband facilities, it is projected that there will be a significant positive ripple effect in economic development. ConnectME Authority Announces Second Round of Grants Governor John E. Baldacci and the ConnectME Authority announced on June 9, 2008 that applications are now available for the second round of its grant program to expand Mainers’ access to broadband service. More than $1.5 million is expected to be available; nearly twice what was available for the first round. The grants will continue to be targeted to areas of the state that have no form of broadband or high-speed internet service available. “The ConnectME initiative is spurring private investment in broadband and cellular service in Maine. These investments are enabling people in rural areas enhanced access to technology, transforming our state economy, and expanding business opportunities for more Mainers,” said Governor Baldacci. The first round of grants awarded last year funded broadband service to more than 50 unserved communities, representing 14,400 households and businesses – a 2.8 percent increase in broadband availability. The ConnectME Authority received 17 grant applications requesting more than $2.4 million in gap funding, for projects totaling more than $6.7 million. The Authority awarded seven grants totaling nearly $800,000, for total project amounts of more than $1.7 million. The grant projects range in size from $38,000 to $368,000 from Chebeague Island to 26 communities in Piscataquis County; from single projects in Somerville and Monson, to a project serving 18 communities in Washington County; and to a project that provides wireless service to Mount Desert and Cranberry Islands. Eligible applicants are municipalities, co-ops, community groups, and broadband service providers. “Among the many reasons that we believe that access to broadband service is a necessity, are: the ability to telecommute, access to government services, and better access to health services and educational opportunities,” said Jean Wilson, the Authority’s Chair. “And, according to a recent Brookings Institution Report, for every one percentage point increase in broadband penetration in a state, employment is projected to increase by 0.2 to 0.3 percent per year.” The application form is available on the ConnectME website (http://www.maine.gov/connectme/). The filing deadline for the application is July 18, 2008. The Authority hopes to make funding commitments within two weeks of the submittals. The members of the Authority are Jean Wilson, Vice President of Information Services at LL Bean, Chair; Mitchel W. Davis, Chief Information Officer for Bowdoin College; Richard B. Thompson, Chief Information Officer for Maine State Government; and Sharon Reishus, Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission. For more information: To arrange an interview with Authority Chair Wilson or the other Members of the Authority, please contact Phillip Lindley at (207) 624-9970 or by e-mail at phil.lindley@maine.gov. The Authority’s website may be accessed through the Maine School and Library Network at all public libraries in Maine.
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