Portland, Maine named an official Gig Town

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce and Fidium Fiber celebrate fiber access in Portland-region

Local officials, business leaders and community members celebrated Portland's new status as a Gig Town during a ribbon cutting on Aug. 14. The event was co-sponsored by the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce and Fidium Fiber, to celebrate the greater Portland area's expansive access to multi-gig speed fiber broadband.

With 50,000 Portland area homes and businesses now able to access multi-gig internet speeds from Fidium Fiber, the Portland region is benefitting from the economic, educational, employment and entertainment benefits that accompany better internet access.

Fiber broadband is cited as the best internet service by 63% of Americans, featuring faster upload and download speeds compared to other connection types.

The ribbon cutting will kick off a Patio Season Celebration and happy hour including light refreshments. The program included remarks by Tommy Johnson, vice president of Member Engagement for Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce and Sarah Davis, vice president of Market Development for Fidium. 

Research shows that fiber internet can increase home values by nearly 5%, drives business innovations, allows growing businesses to stay in the community, and expands employment opportunities for the growing remote workforce.