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
Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology
Broadband / Cyber / Information Technology / MACo Testimony
2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s advocacy on IT/cybersecurity issues in the 2025 General Assembly.  Hackers are increasingly targeting states and local governments with sophisticated cyberattacks. Securing government information systems is critical, as a cyber intrusion can be very disruptive, jeopardizing sensitive information, public safety, and delivering essential services. As such, MACo’s advocacy focuses on bolstering support for local cybersecurity efforts and ensuring a strategic, coordinated, and flexible approach to enhancing cybersecurity…

Comments Off on 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology
April 9, 2025
Read more about the article Comcast Hits the Ground Running in St. Mary’s County
Broadband / County News / Economic Development / Education / Information Technology
Comcast Hits the Ground Running in St. Mary’s County

Comcast has announced it has connected the first residents in Leonardtown, Maryland (St. Mary's County) to Xfinity and Comcast Business services. These are the first of 5,800 homes and businesses that Comcast is connecting in the Leonardtown area. This expansion in Leonardtown deepens Comcast’s investment in St. Mary’s County, MD – where the company is undergoing a broader network expansion – ultimately connecting more than 30,000 residents and businesses across the county to Xfinity and Comcast Business…

Comments Off on Comcast Hits the Ground Running in St. Mary’s County
March 27, 2025
Older Posts