Howard County Awarded $72 Million for New Broadband Infrastructure

Howard County is receiving more than $70 million to connect more than 1,000 community organizations across the state.

The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program is providing the state with a $115.3 million award to connect more than 450 k-12 schools, 21 institutions of higher education, 262 public safety agencies, 44 libraries and more than 220 additional government agencies across 10 municipalities.

"Not only will this investment interconnect 715 community anchor institutions throughout Maryland and create jobs," Howard County Executive Ken Ulman said in a statement, "It will also open up countless economic development opportunities including public and private partnerships and reach areas that are currently unserved or underserved by broadband.

"This grant is going to provide us with the critical infrastructure we will need for the future."

Howard County is receiving $72 million for the task of chairing and managing an Inter-County Broadband Network. The network will serve Anne Arundel County, City of Annapolis, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Carroll County, Frederick County, Harford County, Montgomery County and Prince George's County.

Participating community organizations in each of the participating areas will be connected, as will government networks. This new infrastructure will allow for educational opportunities; greater data and resource sharing; and high-speed Internet.

In a statement, County government officials said the annual cost savings will be more than $28 million.

"This grant would not have been possible without the leadership of County Executive Ulman and the hard work of his staff over the last 18 months," said President of Columbia Telecommunications Corporation Joanne Hovis.

"This was a highly competitive grant, and they deserve the credit for making this possible."