Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Broadband topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Dorchester County accepts $1.1 million Connect Maryland grant to extend broadband to hard-to-reach properties
Summary
The County Council accepted a $1.1 million Connect Maryland FY24 grant to expand broadband to homes and businesses located too far from the road, with a 25% provider-funded match and a partnership agreement with Comcast.
Dorchester County voted Nov. 19 to accept a $1.1 million Connect Maryland FY24 "Home Stretch for Difficult to Serve Properties" grant to extend broadband to properties that currently lack service because they are too far from the road. The council approved the award and authorized a partnership agreement with Comcast Cable Communications Management, LLC by a 4-0 vote; Councilman Travers moved the motion and Councilman Detmer seconded it, William V. Nichols was absent.
County Finance staff said the grant carries a performance period through Dec. 31, 2025, and requires a 25% match that will be funded by participating internet service providers. Marilyn Williams, the county's grant writer, provided an overview of the program and its intent to reach individual homes and businesses previously excluded from broadband deployment projects.
The action directs county staff to enter into an agreement with Comcast to implement the expansion in coordination with the Department of Housing & Community Development program rules. The Council did not specify exact service providers or a project schedule in the meeting minutes; those details were described as part of the implementation planning stage and are to be negotiated under the county's agreement with Comcast.
The acceptance of the Connect Maryland award follows the council's broader agenda of grant-supported infrastructure investments and aligns with state efforts to close service gaps in rural areas.
