BANGOR – The United States Department of Commerce has awarded telecommunications grants to Maine Public Broadcasting Corp. of Bangor and the Washington County Consortium for School Improvement in Machias, according to members of Maine’s congressional delegation.

The grant to Maine Public Broadcasting, for $681,375, will support the second phase of a three-part digital conversion effort impacting the entire state network. It will fund the construction of towers at WMEB (Channel 12) in Bangor and WMED (Channel 13) in Calais. The grant will also help to purchase and install antennas, transmission lines, and microwave systems for both stations. This funding is being made available through the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

The $549,715 grant for the Washington County Consortium for School Improvement in Machias will help to activate a distance learning system. The system will interconnect 40 educational facilities in rural communities throughout Washington County. It will also provide access to health care information and resources through an interactive television network. This funding is also being made available through the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration.