Counties across Maryland are seeing a major milestone in expanding access to reliable, high-speed internet.
With full broadband infrastructure funding now secured in Cecil, Talbot, Dorchester, Somerset, and Worcester Counties, local leaders are moving closer to closing the digital divide for residents and businesses. Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day announced the update as part of the Moore-Miller Administration’s ongoing effort to ensure affordable broadband access statewide, with 99.5% of Maryland now connected or awarded funding.
“Access to high-speed internet is access to opportunity,” said Secretary Day. “From education and healthcare to business and workforce development, broadband is the modern foundation of a thriving community. The Moore-Miller Administration made a promise to leave no one behind, and today’s announcement is proof that we’re delivering.”
Across the five counties that have received full levels of funding, 16,208 households and 42,465 Marylanders have been and will be connected to high-speed internet, made possible by a total of $77,054,881 in infrastructure investment through the Department’s Office of Statewide Broadband. The Difficult to Serve Properties program, which utilized American Rescue Plan Act – Capital Projects Fund funding, brought the five counties to 100% connected or awarded locations. In total, the Office of Statewide Broadband has connected more than 43,000 households, bringing reliable internet access to an estimated more than 110,000 Marylanders. Since 2023, the office has invested $145.8 million in infrastructure grants and $35.8 million in digital equity grants.
