Legislators, Educators Hold Roundtable on Closing Baltimore’s Digital Divide

Saturday, a roundtable was hosted on digital equity in Baltimore. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, and Mayor Brandon Scott were joined by presidents of local Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

Alpha Stock Images - http://alphastockimages.com/The roundtable focused on ensuring digital equity by expanding broadband access, a part of the recent bipartisan infrastructure package. The legislation includes at least $200 million for Maryland to expand access to high-speed broadband in underserved areas. The legislation also extends the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, which discounts monthly broadband bills for low-income households.

“Why this has to be considered like electricity was. Why we need folks to have high-speed access to internet, like water. Because we cannot afford to continue to leave anybody behind in the wealthiest country in the world,” Mayor Brandon Scott said (CBS Baltimore).

Useful Links:
Learn more from CBS Baltimore’s coverage of the roundtable.
Read what the Infrastructure Bill means for Maryland on MACo’s Conduit Street blog.
Read more about the Emergency Broadband Benefit program on MACo’s Conduit Street blog