In 2019, approximately 2,500 rural County homes lacked access to reliable broadband service. Due to high infrastructure costs in the most rural areas of the County major carriers (Comcast and Verizon) have not constructed “wired” services. Baltimore County is aware of the lack of broadband coverage in the northern part of the County and understands the impact and the issues it has caused residents, especially during the pandemic. The County is working on regulations in the County code, as well as funding of build out via grants, to ensure residents in the northern area of the County can receive reliable, quality broadband service.
We are making investments into this matter and are dedicated to assist unserved residents. In 2019, the County hired a full-time Cable Administrator to support the County in this process and held a community meeting to discuss the issues with the lack of coverage. Topics ranged from:
- Students not being able to complete assignments
- Healthcare monitoring
- Employment difficulties in work-from-home opportunities
- Lower property values and difficulty in selling homes
The County conducted an independent Broadband study sending surveys to over 7000 “random” residents in 2021. In addition, we worked with local organizations to gather additional data via a number of grassroots efforts/campaigns. This data has helped us develop a strategic plan for Broadband in the County.
DENSITY BUILD-OUT UNDER COUNTY CODE
The County has several neighborhood projects approved by Comcast for build-out that will provide service to approximately 130 homes. These areas have at least 15 homes per cable mile that will sign up for a minimum of one year of service. In addition, there are eight to nine other projects under review that will assist an additional 160 homes.
GRANTS
Learn more about the grants the County is pursuing to assist with these projects.
STATE "PILOT" GRANT
In 2021, the state’s “pilot” grant for broadband funding was awarded to Baltimore County to support construction to 24 homes along Grace Road and Black Rock Road. Construction completed in 2022 and services have been established to these homes. This project was instrumental in developing a process to support future initiatives.
FY21 STATE INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT
In March 2021, Baltimore County was awarded funding by the Maryland Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program, and issued by the Governor’s Office of Rural Broadband through the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Project funding was received as follows:
- State—$3.75 million
- Comcast—$1.87 million
- Baltimore County—$700,000
Construction and activation are now complete with service to over 850 homes, mainly in the northwest corner of the County.
FY22 NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT
Offered by Connect Maryland and issued by the Office of Statewide Broadband, the FY22 Network Infrastructure Grant can support funding by the state of up to $10 million per project. There are approximately 1,300 homes remaining that are in need of service. Overall funding needed to support all homes nears $20 million. Therefore, the funding request to the state was split into two projects. The proposals were submitted in January of 2022.
Upon review, the State has awarded one of the proposals to support approximately 900 homes. Project funding will be contributed as follows:
- State—Just over $7.7 million
- Comcast—$2.1 million
- Baltimore County—$900,000
This project in underway. Due to the large scope, it will take into 2025 to complete.
FY23 NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT
In 2023, Baltimore County was awarded grant funding to support broadband construction to another 440 homes by Connect Maryland and issued by the Office of Statewide Broadband. An additional 40 plus homes are also under review and expected to be added to the project.
Project funding will be contributed to as follows:
- State—Just over $7.4 million
- Comcast—$1.2 million
- Baltimore County—$613,000
This project is underway and will be done in unison with the FY22 project. Due to the large scope of both projects, it will take through 2025 to complete.
FY24 DIFFICULT TO SERVE PROPERTIES
In early 2024, Baltimore County was awarded funding made available by Connect Maryland and issued by the Office of Statewide Broadband to support assistance with build-out costs for those properties with extreme private property concerns (long driveways). This program will help provide funding for over 100 properties. Build out will begin late summer 2024 and will take into 2025 to complete. Property owners may be required to assist with some of the construction costs for their individual properties (to be determined).
Project funding will be contributed to as follows:
- State—$1.1 million
- Comcast—$500,000
- Baltimore County—TBD
- Resident—As needed, TBD
Mapping of some proposed sites has been added to broadband mapping. A formal site list will be updated once the award process is finalized.
BROADBAND GRANT MAPPING
View a map of all broadband grant projects. For questions, email broadband@baltimorecountymd.gov.
View the Broadband Grant Projects Map
Future Funding
Once all of the grant projects listed above are complete, Baltimore County will have provided access to nearly 99 percent of all homes in need. The additional one percent will be addressed via a new grant opportunity with BEAD/IGJA through the Maryland Office for Statewide Broadband. This grant will be made available in the summer of 2024. The County is already preparing information for a proposal for those remaining homes.