WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the City of Sanford will receive $769,209 in grant funding from the Economic Development Administration to expand local broadband infrastructure and improve the region’s economic competitiveness. The funding will support the construction of an open-access municipal fiber optic network that will serve the Mill Yard complex located in downtown Sanford, a 600-acre industrial park, and over 80 businesses and institutions currently not served with high-speed broadband.

“Access to the Internet is a vital resource that can connect Maine people to the information and opportunities they need to succeed in today’s digital world,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This funding is a significant investment in Maine broadband infrastructure and the future of the Sanford area.  We will continue to work with our partners at all levels of government and in the private sector to promote broadband expansion across Maine.”

This broadband project will bolster entrepreneurship within the Mill Yard complex and improve Sanford’s commercial and industrial competitiveness. The project is expected to create more than 140 jobs and leverage more than $1 million in private investment.

Senator King is a founding co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, which works to strengthen broadband infrastructure and deployment across the country.

###