The towns of South Bristol and Newcastle, Lincoln County, and LCI/Tidewater are pleased to announce the start of ReachME Broadband projects to build out fiber optic networks in the two towns. The state grant was awarded last year, and recently details were announced. Funding for each project comes from the Maine Connectivity Authority, town funds, Lincoln County ARPA funds, and Tidewater.  

In South Bristol, approximately 33 miles of new fiber will be added and about 170 unserved locations will be eligible under the grant; in Newcastle, about 21 miles of new fiber will be added, and 80 unserved addresses will be eligible. Detailed engineering is underway, and the company is ordering equipment (including fiber, individual installation and central office equipment). Construction will begin this summer, with individual installations likely to begin this fall.  

High-speed internet is essential these days for rural residents and businesses for a number of purposes: education, telehealth, workforce training, online public services, and more. Both communities benefitted from their volunteer broadband committees which spent years researching and planning for expanded broadband coverage. Celebrating this progress with check presentations on April 23 were Town officials, Broadband Committee representatives, Lincoln County, LCI/Tidewater, and Coastal Maine Regional Broadband. 

The state award was $1,511,337; Tidewater is investing $458,140; South Bristol and Newcastle contributed $80,000 and $60,000 respectively; and Lincoln County matched the town funds with $140,000 from the county’s ARPA allocation.  

Residents are encouraged to contact www.tidewater.net to learn more.