Western Maryland Set to Boost High-Speed Internet Access Through Key State Agreement

The State of Maryland is poised to significantly expand high-speed internet access in Western Maryland, following the advancement of a resource-sharing agreement that will provide the state with access to approximately 26 miles of fiber optic cable. This initiative, spearheaded by Governor Wes Moore’s administration and approved by the Board of Public Works, represents a strategic investment in the digital future of Allegany and Garrett counties. The agreement, which builds upon an initial state investment of $250,000, grants Maryland access to infrastructure valued at $3.7 million in in-kind contributions, enabling more residents and businesses in rural and underserved areas to connect to the digital world.

This critical agreement, formalized between the Maryland Department of Information Technology and the Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc., will grant the state exclusive use of a “middle-mile” fiber optic network. This network traverses Western Maryland, passing numerous state-owned towers, intelligent transportation system devices managed by the Maryland Department of Transportation, and crucially, a substantial number of unserved and underserved homes and businesses. Furthermore, it extends to 48 community anchor institutions, such as schools and libraries. The accessibility of this existing fiber optic infrastructure is expected to pave the way for more cost-effective “last-mile” investments, which are essential for delivering internet service directly to end-users.

The Moore-Miller Administration has underscored its commitment to bridging the digital divide across the entire state. This latest development in Western Maryland is part of a broader effort that, since 2023, has already brought high-speed internet to over 43,000 homes, benefiting more than 110,000 Marylanders from the western part of the state to the Eastern Shore. Previous initiatives include a nearly $2 million infrastructure project that provided high-speed internet to Smith Island and the recent securing of $79 million in federal funding aimed at enhancing affordable and equitable internet access statewide.

This type of resource-sharing agreement is designed to maximize the efficiency of state resources. By allowing private companies and the state to share existing infrastructure, such as towers and rights of way, the state can achieve its connectivity goals without the prohibitive cost of building entirely new networks. This collaborative approach not only reduces upfront investment for internet service providers but also aims to reduce costs for taxpayers by leveraging existing assets. The Maryland Department of Information Technology’s Statewide Resource Sharing Agreement program is already credited with an estimated annual savings of $50 million for the state. For residents of Allegany and Garrett counties, this means a greater likelihood of accessing reliable, high-speed internet, which is increasingly vital for education, remote work, healthcare, and accessing essential government services.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of Governor Wes Moore

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