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Dorchester County accepts larger long‑lane broadband grant; approves MOUs with Choptank and Bay Country
Summary
Dorchester County Council accepted an increased state long‑lane broadband grant covering 299 addresses and authorized memoranda of understanding with Choptank Fiber and Bay Country Communications, with construction required by year‑end and installations at no cost to homeowners.
Dorchester County Council on June 3 accepted an increased state broadband grant to extend service to 299 addresses in a long‑lane and underserved‑area program and authorized memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with Choptank Fiber and Bay Country Communications, county staff said.
The action, made during a presentation on the county’s “long lanes” broadband expansion, follows revised state grant rules and a reshuffling of addresses submitted by providers. County staff said Choptank submitted nearly 400 addresses for service; the Office of Statewide Broadband pared that list and approved 292 Choptank addresses and seven for Bay Country, for a total of 299 addresses to be served.
Why it matters: the installations will be made at no cost to the homeowner and are intended to reach households on private roads and long driveways that typically are excluded from routine deployments. The county and the providers must complete construction by December 30 under the current grant timetable.
County staff presented the funding math to the council. Providers estimate a total program cost of $2,422,493 for the identified addresses. The state grant for the project was increased to $1,217,852 (the county said it had previously been advised of a $1,100,000 award). Staff said providers will make additional investments beyond the grant; the office noted the grant generally pays up to $8,000 per installation but providers may incur higher costs for homes located far from existing infrastructure.
Valerie Connolly, a Choptank Fiber representative, told the council the company and its partner Bay Country will proceed with construction and work with the county on outreach. “We look forward to working with you more,” Connolly said.
County staff said the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) also covers some addresses in Dorchester County under a separate federal award to a company the presenter identified as Talkie Communications of Chesterfield; staff said that federal award limits the use of state grant funds for addresses already covered by RDOF and that some addresses may be de‑enrolled by the RDOF provider as other providers build into the area.
Council action and next steps: the council voted to accept the higher grant award and separately approved MOUs with Choptank Fiber and Bay Country Communications subject to legal review. Staff said they will notify homeowners on the approved list by letter once the agreements are finalized. If a homeowner objects to on‑property work, staff said providers will place a paid connection box at the roadway so future occupants can be connected without additional charge.
Construction timing and outreach: staff said they will try to finish construction by the December deadline but may request an extension if needed. The county will continue coordination with the RDOF provider to track overlapping areas, and staff will remain the point of contact for constituents who receive advance notice.
Provenance: county presentation and the subsequent motions accepting the grant and approving MOUs occurred during the Long Lanes Broadband Expansion Update and the council’s subsequent votes accepting the award and authorizing MOUs pending legal review.
