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
Read more about the article Maryland Congressional Delegation Pushes for Improved Broadband Mapping
Broadband / Information Technology
Maryland Congressional Delegation Pushes for Improved Broadband Mapping

The Maryland Congressional Delegation has urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to update and improve Maryland’s broadband mapping data. Improving state-wide data in the The National Broadband Map is critical for receiving  needs-based funding and reducing the digital divide in Maryland. As required by the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act (Broadband DATA Act), the FCC is developing the National Broadband Map, which will display specific location-level information about broadband availability. Along with being a crucial tool for better understanding the state of broadband…

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March 14, 2023
Read more about the article FCC Releases Report on Preventing Digital Discrimination
Broadband / Information Technology
FCC Releases Report on Preventing Digital Discrimination

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC) released a report detailing recommendations and best practices that local governments can follow to prevent "digital discrimination" in broadband deployment and promote digital equity. This report aims to assist local governments and other entities in helping remove barriers to equal opportunity and deliver broadband services equitably to all Americans. MACo adopted "Build out Broadband" among its top legislative initiatives for 2021 and supported multiple…

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November 30, 2022
Read more about the article The New Broadband Map Is Finally Here
Broadband / County News
The New Broadband Map Is Finally Here

Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the first draft of its new National Broadband Map, a comprehensive, location-by-location view of high-speed Internet availability across the nation. The map is a more detailed and precise reflection of the availability of fixed and mobile broadband services in Maryland and across the country. Unlike its previous census block-based maps, this updated map is built on a location-based model developed through the FCC's Broadband Data Collection process. The…

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November 21, 2022
Read more about the article Charles Launches Grant Program to Extend Broadband to Residents with Long Driveways
Broadband / Finance and Procurement / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology
Charles Launches Grant Program to Extend Broadband to Residents with Long Driveways

The Charles County Commissioners and the Rural Broadband Task Force announced a grant program to help residents cover the costs of installing service drops — the connection from the right-of-way to the customer’s premises to the existing broadband network — for homes/businesses at the end of long, private driveways. The Long Driveway – Category 3 Grant Program will assist in funding connectivity on long driveways where the cost to extend has been the primary barrier…

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October 31, 2022
Read more about the article Broadband Bootcamp for Counties
Broadband / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues
Broadband Bootcamp for Counties

Join the National Association of Counties (NACo) Broadband Boot Camp for Counties beginning November 3. This interactive webinar series is geared towards county officials and senior staff who are new to the broadband world and are seeking to get involved on connecting their communities to high-speed internet access. Hear from experts in the field on the What, Why, and How behind broadband deployment, and get all of your questions answered within a forum designed exclusively…

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October 26, 2022
Read more about the article Garrett Broadband Awarded Grant to Service 300 Homes
Broadband / County News / Information Technology
Garrett Broadband Awarded Grant to Service 300 Homes

Garrett County’s Broadband Customer Connect Program was awarded $435K by the Appalachian Regional Commission. The $435,000 grant will support the Board of County Commissioners of Garrett County's installation of 7,500 feet of broadband and expand fiber broadband services to 300 homes. Expanded service will benefit rural residents who have struggled to pay the thousands of dollars required to extend broadband services down long driveways to their homes. The county commissioners will work with qualifying internet…

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October 18, 2022
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