December 15, 2020
Maine Chamber of Commerce hosts webinar on future of rural broadband
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - The Maine State Chamber of Commerce held a webinar today about the future of high-speed internet access. Government, civic, and industry leaders discussed the challenges and potential solutions to rural internet access in Maine. The meeting highlighted the importance of internet access for education, the economy, and social services. In July, Maine voters approved a bond issue for 15 million in funding for rural broadband infrastructure. Those funds aren’t sufficient to provide access to all, but will help connect thousands of Mainers. Nick Batista, Senior Policy…
December 1, 2020
Economic recovery: State committee outlines plan for Maine's recovery from the pandemic
Just as pressing as the health concerns of the coronavirus pandemic are the economic concerns facing Maine. The Governor's Economic Recovery Committee has just rolled out its state action plan.…
December 1, 2020
#GivingTuesday: Helping fishing families and foundations
This year, many fishermen and fishing cooperatives used social media to market directly to their communities as the traditional channels for seafood sales dried up with the closure of restaurants…
November 18, 2020
Island Institute joins Dept. of Energy-led effort to bridge gaps in island energy resilience
ROCKLAND — The Island Institute is one of five organizations in the country recently awarded a contract for the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP), a new partnership sponsored by the…
November 18, 2020
‘There will be a lasting impact’: How the pandemic magnified Maine’s digital divide
The success of remote learning greatly depends on a family’s access to the internet. It's estimated that tens of thousands of households lack internet access.
“My only concern is if we do go red [status] and we’re fully remote, can my internet keep up with all the computers working around the clock?” asked Amy McGee…
October 25, 2020
Driving seemed inescapable until it wasn’t
Work commutes have declined during the pandemic, but Maine needs to log even fewer vehicle miles to meet the state's climate goals.
Ask experts about cutting vehicular emissions — the largest source of Maine’s greenhouse gas pollution — and you’re apt to hear how complex the task is. Finding ways to equitably transition from…
October 15, 2020
DOE launches partnership initiative to strengthen remote and islanded communities’ energy resilience
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Program (ETIPP), a new partnership that will provide resources and access to on-the-ground support for remote and…
October 14, 2020
Protecting Main Street from climate impacts
As the evidence and costly impacts of climate change mount, the need to view climate action as an economic imperative — not just an environmental one — is increasingly clear.…
October 1, 2020
People on the Move: ConnectMaine Authority appoints Nick Battista as board chair
Nick Battista, senior policy officer at the Island Institute, has been appointed chair of the ConnectMaine Authority’s board. ConnectMaine’s mission is to facilitate the universal availability of broadband to all…
September 30, 2020
Luke’s Lobster, Island Institute launching e-commerce platform for seafood producers
Luke’s Lobster and the Island Institute have partnered to build an e-commerce platform for wild and farmed seafood producers throughout Maine. The partnership, announced Wednesday, responds to diminished market demand…
