Read more about the article Howard County Takes Top Honors for Technology That Makes Government Work Better
Broadband / Cyber / Information Technology / NACo Achievement Awards
Howard County Takes Top Honors for Technology That Makes Government Work Better

Howard County earned national recognition for a broad portfolio of technology and administrative initiatives designed to make government more transparent, secure, efficient, and easier to navigate. Leading the County’s 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards was HoCo Dash 2.0, which earned Best in Category in Information Technology. The platform transforms large projects, initiatives, and performance measures into concise, visually engaging stories designed to help residents better understand what County government is doing and…

Comments Off on Howard County Takes Top Honors for Technology That Makes Government Work Better
August 26, 2026
Read more about the article FCC Proposal Could Preempt Local Broadband Permitting Authority
Broadband / County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning
FCC Proposal Could Preempt Local Broadband Permitting Authority

The Federal Communications Commission is considering new rules that could preempt local authority over broadband permitting, including project timelines, fees, and access to public rights-of-way. The FCC is considering new federal standards aimed at speeding up wireline broadband deployment. The proposal includes mandatory timelines for local approvals and potential limits on the fees local governments can charge providers. The National Association of Counties (NACo) is actively engaging with the FCC as the rulemaking moves forward.…

Comments Off on FCC Proposal Could Preempt Local Broadband Permitting Authority
August 26, 2026
Read more about the article From Broadband to Economic Opportunity: Building Maryland’s Digital Future
Broadband / Summer Conference
From Broadband to Economic Opportunity: Building Maryland’s Digital Future

At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, county leaders will explore how broadband is moving beyond basic internet access to become a foundation for economic development, workforce growth, healthcare, education, and community resilience. With historic investments bringing high-speed internet to more Maryland communities, counties are increasingly focused on how to maximize those investments and ensure broadband expansion delivers lasting economic and community benefits. From Broadband to Economic Opportunity: Building Maryland's Digital Future Broadband has become essential…

Comments Off on From Broadband to Economic Opportunity: Building Maryland’s Digital Future
July 28, 2026
Read more about the article Building Maryland’s Next-Generation Fiber Infrastructure Across Counties 
Broadband / Information Technology / Summer Conference
Building Maryland’s Next-Generation Fiber Infrastructure Across Counties 

MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference Solutions Showcase features thought leaders and industry experts presenting resources and best practices to assist local governments. Check out this session hosted by Maryland Broadband Cooperative!  About Maryland Broadband Cooperative:  Maryland Broadband Cooperative is a pioneering not-for-profit organization under 501(c)12 status, committed to revolutionizing network services across the state. Our cooperative model empowers our members to deliver expanded, world-class network solutions that cater to the diverse needs of Maryland’s communities. We are dedicated to fostering economic development and ensuring that…

Comments Off on Building Maryland’s Next-Generation Fiber Infrastructure Across Counties 
July 9, 2026
Read more about the article Howard County Expands Free Wi-Fi Network at Columbia Lakefront
Broadband / County News / Information Technology
Howard County Expands Free Wi-Fi Network at Columbia Lakefront

Years of investment in broadband infrastructure and digital inclusion continue to reshape connectivity across Howard County. Howard County is continuing to expand broadband access and digital inclusion efforts, with new free public Wi-Fi now available at the Columbia Lakefront. The expansion increases access to Howard County's public Wi-Fi network, which now includes 118 locations at parks, libraries, community centers, senior centers, and other public facilities throughout the county. From the press release: Access to the…

Comments Off on Howard County Expands Free Wi-Fi Network at Columbia Lakefront
June 18, 2026
Read more about the article Rural Maryland Council Seeks Input on Community Needs and Priorities
Agriculture / Broadband / County News / Economic Development / Environment / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development
Rural Maryland Council Seeks Input on Community Needs and Priorities

The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) invites residents, business owners, community leaders, and other stakeholders to participate in a survey to help shape future investments and policy priorities for rural communities across the state. The survey, which takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, will help inform RMC's legislative advocacy efforts, program priorities, and future funding decisions. Feedback will also support planning for the Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund and two key grant programs: the Maryland Agricultural…

Comments Off on Rural Maryland Council Seeks Input on Community Needs and Priorities
June 11, 2026
Read more about the article Carroll County Broadband Infrastructure Project Earns National Recognition
Broadband / Business Affairs / County News / Economic Development / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations
Carroll County Broadband Infrastructure Project Earns National Recognition

Carroll County’s long-running effort to expand broadband infrastructure is drawing national attention, with its Public Network project receiving a 2026 Smart 20 Award from Smart Cities Connect. The recognition highlights projects from around the world that demonstrate innovation in technology and infrastructure, and, in Carroll County’s case, reflects nearly two decades of investment in building a countywide fiber network. Carroll County’s Public Network (CCPN) is a middle-mile fiber network designed to support high-capacity broadband across…

Comments Off on Carroll County Broadband Infrastructure Project Earns National Recognition
April 30, 2026
Read more about the article US House Committee Advances Sweeping Broadband Bill, Gutting Local Land-Use Authority
Broadband / Business Affairs / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / Planning and Zoning
US House Committee Advances Sweeping Broadband Bill, Gutting Local Land-Use Authority

Last month, the US House Energy and Commerce Committee approved and reported H.R. 2289, the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025. This sweeping federal permitting bill would significantly reshape how state and local governments regulate broadband and telecommunications infrastructure. What began as a narrow, one-page proposal to exempt specified broadband projects from federal environmental and historic review requirements has expanded dramatically. Through committee amendments, H.R. 2289 expanded into a roughly 100-page omnibus bill, incorporating more than…

Comments Off on US House Committee Advances Sweeping Broadband Bill, Gutting Local Land-Use Authority
January 8, 2026
Read more about the article Statewide Broadband Expansion Reaches New County Benchmark
Broadband / County News / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology
Statewide Broadband Expansion Reaches New County Benchmark

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…

Comments Off on Statewide Broadband Expansion Reaches New County Benchmark
November 20, 2025
Read more about the article Federal Efforts To Override Local Broadband Rules
Broadband / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues
Federal Efforts To Override Local Broadband Rules

As the federal government looks to accelerate broadband deployment, local leaders are raising concerns that new proposals could sideline local voices. According to a NACo article, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Congress are both considering actions that could preempt local authority over permitting and fees for broadband infrastructure. This move could hinder, not help, progress toward universal connectivity. On September 30, the FCC released two Notices of Inquiry exploring potential new limits on local…

Comments Off on Federal Efforts To Override Local Broadband Rules
November 13, 2025
Older Posts