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Easton Utilities, Talbot County celebrate completion of Connect Talbot broadband in grant areas
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Summary
Easton Utilities told the Talbot County Council that its Connect Talbot project has delivered grant‑funded broadband access across targeted unserved areas, citing roughly $35 million in grant awards, a total project cost near $45 million and 2,300 new customers signed. Officials urged eligible residents to claim remaining grant drops soon.
John Horner, president and CEO of Easton Utilities, announced that the Connect Talbot broadband initiative has completed mainline construction and service drops in the grant‑funded unserved areas of Talbot County.
Horner said the project installed about 360 miles of mainline fiber and that "we currently have 2,300 new customers who have signed up for service through this project." He reported about $35 million in grant funding and estimated the total project cost at roughly $45 million, with the county contributing more than $5 million in combined county funds and ARPA support.
The announcement included technical and funding context: construction began in April 2022 after design work, the project received a USDA Reconnect grant and additional federal and state awards, and Easton Utilities partnered with the county and local towns. Ted Book, Easton Utilities' transit/technical lead, emphasized that some properties remain unconnected because residents have not yet requested service and warned that grant funds to pay for service drops are limited.
"If a resident goes there, sees that they're eligible for service, they should call us immediately, and we can get them on the schedule to get them connected while we still have funding," Book said.
Council members praised the project as transformational for the county. One council member compared the impact to rural electrification, saying the project "opened up these economic possibilities for our residents and our businesses." The county manager and several council members were named by presenters as early partners whose support helped secure funding and move the effort forward.
The utility and county urged residents who may now have access to check eligibility and, if eligible under the grant, to request a funded drop before grant money expires. Presenters said some properties considered already "served" by other providers may still inquire about a drop or future extension options; those not eligible for grants would pay the cost of a service drop.
Next steps: Easton Utilities said it will continue outreach and a media campaign to inform residents and real estate professionals about eligibility; the county and utility will track remaining grant availability and customer interest.
