It’s funny how sometimes big things happen in small places, where you’d least expect it. Maine isn’t typically thought of as anything more than a vacation destination for those outside the state, and many of us have even had encounters with the geographically challenged who persist in asking, “Isn’t that in Canada?”
But for those of us in the know, it’s clear that the State of Maine is a leader, and an up-and-coming place to be.
Just a few weeks ago, the nation’s first-ever Paralympic equestrian training camp was held in Lyman ”“ a tiny town that few outside of York County have even heard of. Carlisle Academy, which is known in the area for its therapeutic riding programs, hosted the event, with 10 would-be paralympians coming from across the nation to take advantage of the expertise of internationally acclaimed trainers. For three of them, it’ll be on to the trials in New Jersey to see if they can land a spot on the U.S. team to compete in the Paralympics, which follow the Olympics in London this August. And it all started in smalltown, Maine.
Meanwhile, another national first is pending with a company based in Biddeford.
Great Works Internet plans to build an ultra-high-speed “Gigabit Main Street Internet Network” surrounding the University of Maine Orono campus. Silicon Valley and parts of Korea are the only places to have such high-quality Internet access at this time, with 125 times faster download speeds and 1,000 times faster upload speeds than current offerings. GWI’s ultra-high-speed Gigabit Main Street Internet Network approach to this technology will be a first for the country, as the network will involve the installation of optical fiber to the businesses and homes in the area, and that network infrastructure will be available to any service provider who wants to offer service to customers within the network, according to GWI.
And it’s happening right here in Maine.
The partnership with GWI means that UMaine will be one of the first universities in the nation to take part in Gig.U ”“ The University Community Next Generation Innovation Project. This initiative, made up of 37 leading research universities across the country, focuses on speeding up the process to get ultra-high-speed networks to leading U.S. universities and their surrounding communities. This particular Internet improvement is going to make it easier to do business with big cities nearby and abroad, without companies having to leave Maine for larger hub cities.
Many other universities are interested in the broadband project, but Gig. U. Executive Director Blair Levin said it happened first in Maine because “the leadership here is great.”
And that’s the key for our state ”“ we’re a community of “doers,” with the mentality that when a need exists, we fill it. And improved Internet access and capability is certainly becoming a need in this day and age, particularly for businesses.
All members of our Congressional delegation have come out in support of the expansion, and perhaps Sen. Olympia Snowe summed it up best when she wrote, “Without question, broadband is a necessity for individuals and businesses alike ”“ it provides better access to jobs, education, government and transforms local markets into global ones.”
In a rural state like ours, dependable, fast Internet access can be a deciding factor in a growing company’s decision whether to stay or go, and we’re glad to see this expansion happening here.
With firsts like those happening in Orono and Lyman, and the countless other innovations taking place here, it’s guaranteed that outsiders won’t be wondering where Maine is in a few more years, as the state continues to be a leader in myriad fields and makes its presence known.
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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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