Read more about the article Maryland Dept of Housing Opens Second Round of Applications for Jurisdictions to Receive Laptops
Broadband / County News / Economic Development / Education / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology
Maryland Dept of Housing Opens Second Round of Applications for Jurisdictions to Receive Laptops

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has opened a second round of applications for local governments and their partners to request laptops for distribution to underserved households in communities throughout Maryland. Local Governments, Community Partners Encouraged to Apply for Devices to Distribute to Underserved Households The $30 million investment to distribute approximately 150,000 devices through the Office of Statewide Broadband is part of an effort to ensure Marylanders have the technology to access reliable,…

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September 13, 2023
Read more about the article Carroll County Residents Asked to Complete Survey on County Broadband Access
Broadband / County News / News You Can Use
Carroll County Residents Asked to Complete Survey on County Broadband Access

Carroll County is asking residents and businesses to complete a Carroll County Residential Broadband Survey to collect data regarding residents’ access to broadband internet. The survey is designed to identify locations that do not have access to broadband internet or have limited or problematic access, as well as those areas where connectivity is strong. The information will identify areas where broadband infrastructure does not exist or places that do not meet the minimum speed suggested…

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August 29, 2023
Read more about the article Montgomery County Launches Free Computer Distribution and Expanded Internet Service for Low-Income Families
Broadband / County News / Cyber / Education / Health and Human Services / Information Technology / News You Can Use
Montgomery County Launches Free Computer Distribution and Expanded Internet Service for Low-Income Families

“Montgomery Connects,” Montgomery County’s digital equity and inclusion program, has launched a new program to distribute 34,000 free laptop computers to low-income families. There is a limit of one computer per address. Eligible recipients must be Maryland residents but do not need to be U.S. citizens. Montgomery Connects received a Maryland Connected Devices grant valued at $7 million to distribute 34,000 Chromebook laptops to low-income households. Montgomery Connects is operated by the County’s Department of…

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July 20, 2023
Read more about the article MACo Joins Gov. Moore’s Coalition to Close Maryland’s Digital Divide
Gov Wes Moore ActNow Press Conference
Broadband / County News / Feature / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / Summer Conference
MACo Joins Gov. Moore’s Coalition to Close Maryland’s Digital Divide

Governor Wes Moore this week launched the Maryland ActNow campaign, a public awareness campaign to help increase awareness of and enrollment for the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program -- a $14.2 billion federal broadband benefit providing eligible households with a discount of up to $30 per month. The governor was joined by US Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves, state and local officials, and other partners to promote the campaign, part of an…

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July 19, 2023
Read more about the article Olszewski, Comcast Announce Rural Broadband Expansion Covering 99 Percent of Unserved Northern Baltimore County Residences
Broadband / County News / Summer Conference
Olszewski, Comcast Announce Rural Broadband Expansion Covering 99 Percent of Unserved Northern Baltimore County Residences

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski joined Comcast to announce a new $7.4 million grant from the Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband's Connect Maryland Network Infrastructure Grant Program, which will support the expansion of high-speed broadband service to 450 additional homes in rural areas in northern Baltimore County. In combination with prior grant-funded expansion efforts and ongoing strong cooperation between the County and Comcast to provide broadband and cable access to other unserved homes — Baltimore…

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July 13, 2023
Read more about the article State to Deploy $268M in Federal Funding to Expand High-Speed Internet Access in Maryland
Broadband / County News / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / Summer Conference
State to Deploy $268M in Federal Funding to Expand High-Speed Internet Access in Maryland

This week, Governor Wes Moore announced more than $267 million in federal funding to bring high-speed internet access to every Marylander. As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will assist in closing the remaining gaps in high-speed Internet service in the state and expanding digital equity initiatives for Marylanders. States, D.C., and territories will use funding from the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program from…

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June 28, 2023
Read more about the article Join the Maryland Rural Broadband Forum: Empowering Communities through Connectivity
Broadband / County News / Information Technology
Join the Maryland Rural Broadband Forum: Empowering Communities through Connectivity

The Rural Maryland Council and USDA Rural Development will be hosting a regional rural broadband forum on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on 173 Jennifer Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 There is no charge to attend but registration is required. Follow the registration link here. To view the draft agenda, visit here. Connect with other stakeholders interested in broadband access and discuss ways to maximize available…

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June 12, 2023
Read more about the article Comcast Expands High-Speed Network in St. Mary’s County
Broadband / County News / Information Technology
Comcast Expands High-Speed Network in St. Mary’s County

Comcast has announced it is expanding its Xfinity 10G Network to more than 17,500 additional homes and businesses across 450 miles in St. Mary's County, delivering its full suite of Xfinity and Comcast Business services. Construction has begun, and the project – which includes communities in Broad Creek, California, Callaway, Great Mills, Lexington Park, and Wildewood – will roll out in phases, with the expansion expected to be complete in 2028. "On behalf of the…

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May 2, 2023
Read more about the article Charles County Receives $3 Million to Expand Rural Broadband Access
Broadband / County News
Charles County Receives $3 Million to Expand Rural Broadband Access

The Charles County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce that Governor Wes Moore is awarding $2,960,126 to expand high-speed internet access to an estimated 427 households and businesses across Charles County through Connect Maryland. Connect Maryland is an initiative to close the digital divide through the Office of Statewide Broadband. The Connect Maryland Network Infrastructure Grant Program made 35 awards to Internet Service Providers and local jurisdictions to construct new broadband networks to service unserved…

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April 18, 2023
Read more about the article 2023 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology
Broadband / Cyber / General Assembly News / Information Technology
2023 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo's advocacy on IT/cybersecurity issues in the 2023 General Assembly.  Information technology is a growing area of importance for MACo as county governments rely on increasingly sophisticated computer systems for a widening scope of operations – including public safety applications, open government portals, billing functions, and emergency alert systems. As information technology evolves, cybersecurity and data privacy are top of mind for county governments. In addition to…

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April 12, 2023
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