FFB Episode 239 - Driving Connections - Local Lessons from the Road to Broadband Expansion

Broadband is no longer a luxury—it’s essential for economic opportunity, education, and community resilience. The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) is meeting this need by investing in infrastructure through a deeply local, collaborative approach. This past June, MCA President Andrew Butcher hit the road in his 1984 Volkswagen van—affectionately known as “Buttercup”—traveling over 800 miles to visit 14 towns, 5 libraries, and 2 connectivity hubs, and connect with more than 150 community members and broadband partners across Maine to understand how we can both be more connected digitally and in real life. In this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Andrew joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to share stories from the road and insights into how strategic partnerships—with Tribal, municipal, nonprofit, and private stakeholders—are helping close the digital divide. With more than 86,000 homes and businesses connected in the past three years—a 26% increase in access—MCA is building more than just infrastructure; it’s shaping the future of equitable, sustainable connectivity. With Special Guest: Andrew Butcher, President, MCA