Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day announced that the State of Maryland has awarded a grant of nearly $2 million to provide broadband access to Smith Island residents and businesses. Along with state and Somerset County officials, as well as members of Smith Island United, Secretary Day announced State Broadband Office Network Infrastructure Program funding to Verizon to bring high-speed Internet to the island.
“To close Maryland’s digital divide and open pathways to opportunity, every Maryland home and business must have access to broadband Internet, no matter how remote the location,” said Secretary Day. “Bringing broadband infrastructure to Smith Island demonstrates our commitment to working in partnership with communities in every corner of the state, from the mountains of Garrett County to the shores of Somerset, to ensure all Marylanders are connected to the Internet high-speed by 2030”.
The broadband initiative will reach more than 200 homes and businesses
The award supports Smith Island United’s vision of preserving the island’s community, homes and culture. Once the infrastructure project is complete, broadband connectivity will be extended to more than 200 homes and businesses.
“The Somerset County Commissioners truly value the partnership we have with DHCD and we want to thank Secretary Day and his staff for their support of this project as we look forward to having broadband Internet available to Smith Island residents,” said Randy Laird . , Vice Chairman of the Somerset County Board of Commissioners.
The State Broadband Office’s Network Infrastructure Program provides grants to local jurisdictions or their Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The program facilitates partnerships between the public and private sectors (in this case, Somerset County, Smith Island United and Verizon) to build new broadband networks. Grants can fund up to 90% of capital construction costs associated with providing Internet service to unserved or underserved homes and businesses.
“Verizon is pleased to partner with the residents of Smith Island and Governor Moore to bring the power and benefits of a world-class fixed wireless access (FWA) network to the island,” said Joseph L. Askew, Jr., vice president of Public Services. Policies and state government affairs for Verizon. “This next-generation 5G FWA broadband network will: foster more economic development activities, make neighborhoods safer, improve educational access and outcomes, ensure greater connectivity to quality healthcare, and expand employment opportunities. entertainment and marketing. Access to quality broadband infrastructure and services changes lives and communities, and Verizon is proud to be Smith Island’s partner to help make this significant change.”
The state’s broadband program has reached about 52,000 homes and businesses.
The State Broadband Office, located in the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, works to ensure that all Maryland households have access to broadband through its programs to expand infrastructure and increase digital equity.
Since the office was created in 2017, it has invested more than $270 million in broadband infrastructure and programs. Those efforts have provided high-speed Internet access to approximately 52,000 previously unserved homes and businesses across the state. For more information, visit dhcd.maryland.gov/Broadband.
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