Maryland State Wire

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie B. Raskin, David Trone, and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) today announced $267,738,400 in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for the state of Maryland to expand access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband. This new federal investment is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Internet for All initiative and it will ensure that Marylanders have the skills, devices and access they need to utilize affordable, high-speed reliable internet.

“Expanding access to broadband is critical for connecting households to economic opportunities, providing children of all backgrounds with equitable learning opportunities, and creating thriving communities,” said the lawmakers. “The pandemic laid bare the need for affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband as a standard public utility for every household, which is why we fought for investments in broadband within the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. With today’s announcement, we are one step closer to making high-speed internet service accessible and affordable for all while also supporting good paying jobs deploying fiber and using materials made in America. Team Maryland will keep working to strengthen the state’s broadband infrastructure to ensure no Marylander is left behind.”

The funding comes through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The BEAD Program is the largest of the NTIA’s six broadband programs, and provides funding for projects that support broadband infrastructure deployment and adoption. The program prioritizes unserved locations, underserved locations, and community anchor institutions. The award will be used to support broadband planning and related capacity efforts, from mapping, staffing state broadband offices, to outreach and coordination with local communities.

The lawmakers supported the passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, monumental legislation that is investing billions in America’s infrastructure – including over $7 billion directly in Maryland over five years – to combat climate change, deploy clean energy, and expand access to broadband for communities across America.

Original source can be found here