Recovery Act Connects Maryland to Broadband Network, Spurs Economic Development

We can rebuild our communities by supporting smart, innovative investments in critical infrastructure. This year, as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, Maryland is receiving $115 million to provide access to broadband across the state.  The funding will be used to deploy high-speed fiber optic cable to connect 715 anchor institutions, including hundreds of public schools, libraries, public safety agencies, community colleges and other government institutions in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and the cities of Baltimore and Annapolis.

This broadband network will help Maryland businesses to grow and innovate – enabling them to connect to new markets and access more resources.  It also represents an investment in our human capital infrastructure by connecting people to educational resources and workforce training and our civic infrastructure by connecting community institutions throughout the state. The nearly 650 miles of new fiber in the rural portions of the state will substantially improve public safety, government services, healthcare delivery, and education.

For every dollar invested in broadband, it is estimated that the economy sees a ten-fold return on that investment. Broadband, digital communications and other information technology are important tools to encourage economic development, social advancement and job growth in Maryland. These investments in our region and across the state will enable Maryland connect businesses, homes, schools and government and community institutions to encourage innovation, collaboration and business development. We will see more opportunities for employees to telework, which will in turn ease the strain on our physical infrastructure by taking cars off of the road.

I fought to bring these stimulus dollars to Maryland, because I believe a commitment to this critical infrastructure is a commitment to rebuilding America.

For more information on this initiative you may wish to read the Baltimore Sun’s recent article.