STONINGTON, Maine — Internet access is something many take for granted, but for residents in the town of Stonington like Melissa Jones-Bayley, getting online has been difficult.
"We've had some upgrades on the island for internet, but this building has been a tough spot, right now we have our own internet and it's not great all the time," Jones-Bayley said.
Jones-Bayley is the owner of one of six businesses located in the town's former elementary school, which will be the sight for Stonington's new connectivity hub made possible through the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA).
With the new hub, the town hopes to not only provide a space with high-speed internet access but also services to help people better understand unfamiliar technology.
"Human support is so important if you're a person where this is not a part of your culture, so easing people into access to digital resources that will improve their lives, that's what this is going to be able to do," Stonington Economic and Community Development Director Linda Nelson said.
Resources like digital literacy programs that will be provided by Deer Isle Adult and Community Education, as well as devices like laptops, iPads, and even a 3D printer, are all funded through the grant.
Officials at MCA say Stonington residents will also gain access to invaluable services that may be far away.
"Being able to go to an appointment using telehealth is a great way to be able to see a specialist that otherwise you would have to drive maybe an hour to get to," MCA Digital Equity Manager Jessica Perez said.
Or even provide residents with more work opportunities.
"You can get a remote job, or you can get some skills online through professional development. Those are all things that help people advance their lives in a way that's important to them," Perez said.
Nelson said the town also hopes to use the connectivity hub to address the unique needs of their historic fishing community.
"Fishermen are extremely innovative and creative, we're going to be providing some of the cutting-edge tools to take that to the next generation," Nelson said.
For Jones-Bayley, the connectivity hub is something she can't wait for the community to have access to.
"I think it will be really great for a lot of people who might be intimidated by it to be able to walk in and have it available and to have people around to help with that," Jones-Bayley said. "I'm still learning but it's definitely going to make it easier and less of a struggle."
Town officials say they hope to have every service provided by the connectivity hub available by mid-September.