Concourse

Maine

IT Status Report & Strategic Plan

February 23, 2026 · Version 2.0

Executive Summary

Governor

Janet Mills (D)

CIO

Nick Marquis (Acting)

CISO

Charles Rote (Acting)

IT Organization

Office of Information Technology (MaineIT)

State Agencies

14

Population

1.4M

✓ Key Strengths

  • Maine AI Task Force established by Governor Mills in December 2024 released comprehensive report with 34 recommendations in October 2025, positioning the state as a thoughtful leader in AI governance balancing innovation with public safeguards
  • Maine Connectivity Authority driving ambitious broadband expansion with $48.5M BEAD award, 135,000+ homes and businesses already connected, and MOOSE Net 530-mile middle-mile fiber backbone under construction by Sertex Broadband
  • Robust statewide cybersecurity plan aligned with NIST CSF and supported by State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) funding -- emphasizes whole-of-state approach covering local governments and critical infrastructure
  • MaineIT provides centralized IT services to all 14 Executive Branch departments and 11,000+ state employees with 500+ technology professionals, enabling consistent standards and economies of scale

⚠ Key Risks

  • Both CIO and CISO positions filled on acting/interim basis -- Nick Marquis has been acting CIO since April 2023 and Charles Rote assumed acting CISO in September 2025 after Nathan Willigar departed for Microsoft
  • BEAD funding reduced from initial $272M allocation to $48.5M under restructured federal program, significantly limiting scope of broadband deployment to approximately 22,000 locations statewide
  • Aging population (median age ~44.8, oldest in nation) combined with natural population decline creates acute IT workforce recruitment challenges as competition for technology talent intensifies
  • Federal funding uncertainty -- $35M Digital Equity Act withdrawal and evolving BEAD requirements under new administration create planning and budget risks for connectivity programs

Capability Areas

Capability Radar

Cybersecurity & …AI & AutomationDigital Governme…Data Management …Workforce & TalentCloud ServicesBroadband & Conn…IT Procurement &…Interoperability…Legacy Moderniza…
Maine

Current IT Projects

ProjectStatusDescriptionTimeline
MOOSE Net Middle-Mile Fiber NetworkIn ProgressConstruction of 530-mile open-access middle-mile fiber backbone across Maine by Sertex Broadband Solutions. Underground deployment began in Brewer, Maine in fall 2025. Will support 11,000+ homes and businesses plus 200 community institutions.2025-2027
BEAD Broadband DeploymentAwarded$48.5M federal broadband program connecting 22,000 unserved locations. 25 projects across six ISP partners selected with 85% fiber, 14% LEO satellite, and 1% hybrid fiber/coax technologies.2026-2030
AI Task Force ImplementationActiveImplementation of 34 AI recommendations from the Governor's Task Force on Artificial Intelligence covering workforce preparation, citizen protections, and public sector efficiency enhancements.2025-2027
Statewide Cybersecurity EnhancementIn ProgressExecution of Maine Cybersecurity Plan with SLCGP grant funding to improve cybersecurity posture across state agencies and local governments, including training, assessments, and incident response capabilities.2024-2027
Statewide Connectivity StudyActiveMaine Connectivity Authority survey and analysis of cellular connectivity gaps across the state, particularly for rural communities, tourism corridors, and underserved areas.2025-2026

100-Day Strategic Plan

Quick-win initiatives for immediate impact

200-Day Strategic Plan

Strategic initiatives for sustained transformation

Sources

  1. Maine Office of Information Technology (MaineIT) (accessed 2026-02-23)
  2. MaineIT About Us -- Organization and Services Overview (accessed 2026-02-23)
  3. GovTech: Maine CISO Nathan Willigar Takes Microsoft Cybersecurity Job (accessed 2026-02-23)
  4. StateScoop: Maine Cyber Chief Steps Down for Microsoft SLED Job (accessed 2026-02-23)
  5. Maine AI Task Force Report (October 2025) -- 34 Recommendations (accessed 2026-02-23)
  6. Governor Mills: Task Force Releases Report on Artificial Intelligence in Maine (accessed 2026-02-23)
  7. Maine Connectivity Authority -- Broadband Programs and BEAD (accessed 2026-02-23)
  8. Maine Connectivity Authority BEAD Subgrantee Selection Results (accessed 2026-02-23)
  9. GovTech: $49M From Feds Should Bring Last Unconnected Mainers Online (accessed 2026-02-23)
  10. Sertex Broadband: MOOSE Net Design-Build Contract Award (accessed 2026-02-23)
  11. Maine State Cybersecurity Plan (April 2024) (accessed 2026-02-23)
  12. Maine Digital Government Summit 2025 (accessed 2026-02-23)
  13. Maine 2025 Population Estimates -- Office of the State Economist (accessed 2026-02-23)
  14. Governor Mills Final State of the State Address (January 2026) (accessed 2026-02-23)
  15. Maine IT Master Agreement with Gartner for IT Research and Advisory Services (accessed 2026-02-23)
  16. NASCIO 2025 State CIO Top 10 Priorities (accessed 2026-02-23)