This is the second in a three-part series exploring fiber-optic internet’s impact across Maine. In this article, we look at fiber’s economic influence—especially for small business connectivity. Be sure to check out our first piece on the role of fiber broadband in reshaping communities and stay tuned for our next installment on how connectivity expands access to healthcare.
From Local Charm to Digital Power
Since Julie and Paul Roberts opened Coastal Maine Popcorn in Boothbay Harbor, their business has thrived on local charm and inventive popcorn flavors – from White Cheddar and Maine Blueberry Pancake to holiday favorites like Frosted Gingerbread Cookie and even Lump O’ Coal.
But as their business grew, so did their need for reliable high-speed internet.
“We were constantly fighting slow speeds. Processing online orders and managing inventory took far longer than it should,” Julie Roberts recalled.
Paul Roberts noted, “It’s hard to overstate how challenging that can be. From a business standpoint, having high speed and bandwidth is critical, not just for downloads, but for uploads, too.”
Everything changed when fiber internet from Fidium arrived in their community.
“We switched over our home, retail location, and production facility, and it was the quickest, easiest, smoothest transition I could have hoped for,” Julie Roberts said. “I’ve never experienced something as easy as the switch over that we experienced from Fidium. It was incredible.”
The Infrastructure Behind the Opportunity
Coastal Maine Popcorn’s connectivity transformation didn’t happen by chance. It is the result of broadband expansion and strategic investment in Lincoln County, where leaders, working with Fidium and the Maine Connectivity Authority, recognized fiber internet as a critical economic driver.
“We have a fairly diverse economy and a diverse population,” said Mary Ellen Barnes, Coastal Maine Regional Broadband’s community digital planner. “We have folks who are fairly low income all the way to high income people. So, what do you do to provide an economic tool that will benefit everyone? Broadband internet.”
Barnes explained that access to high-speed fiber internet also strengthens small businesses, creating opportunities that reach every corner of the community.
“Businesses can operate from anywhere with broadband access,” she said. “You’re going to be able to reach a larger market, get your goods for less money and be more creative with the kind of businesses you have.”
Economic Development in Action
For businesses like the Roberts’ Coastal Maine Popcorn, fiber means being able to offer the best experience for customers, which can make the difference between making a sale or not.
“We were having a lot of connection trouble before with our point-of-sale system and our credit card processor not staying connected,” said Julie Roberts. “It was dropping all the time and we were hand-entering credit cards; you have a store full of people, and we have to manually enter credit cards? It’s a nightmare on a busy holiday weekend or any time.”
For Julie and Paul Roberts, fiber internet also brings the confidence that their business can run smoothly, no matter how busy it gets.
“To just know that on a Saturday I’m not going to get a call from our team that the credit card machine is down again and there’s nothing I can do about it,” she continued. “Fidium has made it so much easier for us with the speed, service and reliability. It’ll be life-changing for us.”
Across Lincoln County, fiber broadband offers a boost in opportunity.
“We saw broadband as an equalizer,” said Barnes. “When it goes by your house, anyone can sign up for it. It strengthens small businesses, connects people to education and health care.”
“Ten years ago, people would not be moving here because there wasn’t broadband. Now there will be.”
Looking Ahead
“Being a small business owner, we wear so many hats every day,” said Julie Roberts. “Fidium has just made it one less thing I have to worry about, which has been incredible.”
As fiber internet in Maine reaches more communities, the state is positioning itself for a future where geography is no longer a barrier to growth. Fidium is playing a central role in that transformation, expanding access to future-ready fiber-optic internet across the state and partnering with organizations like the Maine Connectivity Authority to close the digital divide.
For many small business owners like the Roberts, that future is already here.
Next in the Connecting Maine series: How fiber connectivity is expanding access to healthcare, especially for rural communities across Maine.
Ready to connect? Discover how fiber internet can transform your connectivity at fidiumfiber.com.