The Bangor Daily News examines Maine's efforts to expand broadband access to rural and under-served areas. The state legislature has proposed "An Act To Accelerate Private Investment in Maine's Wireless and Broadband Infrastructure." (LD 2080, HP 1471). Maine's actions to stimulate private sector development stems partially from the frustration at Federal programs, such as the Rural Development Broadband Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. According to Jason Philbrook, president of Midcoast Internet Solutions, "the paperwork and stipulations for these loans were huge and would have changed the way many ISPs do business. Wireless also was the technology least likely to get funded based on prior awards across the nation. For me," said Philbrook "It is easier to get a loan at the bank for a little higher percentage and not have a person doing all the USDA legwork and ongoing compliance." The Leichtman Research Group, thinks Maine may be looking at the wrong problem. "The computer divide is where this starts. There is a direct link between household income and computer ownership. While 80 percent of U.S. households have computers, just over half of these households subscribe to broadband service," said Bruce Leichtman, LRG president, "When you look at households with incomes less than $30,000 per year, only 58 percent have a computer." But the bottom line is access. "Greater broadband access in Maine will have enormous ripple benefits to the state's economy," says Thomas B. Federle, top Maine adviser on broadband issues, "Study after study has shown that rural businesses with broadband access do better than rural businesses without it."