Maryland

Amplifying Investments in Annapolis

Maryland was the first state in the nation to hold a Digital Equity conference in Annapolis, featuring Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, members of Maryland’s General Assembly and leaders from Maryland’s nonprofits, foundations, and community-based organizations. The event sponsored by Baltimore’s Digital Equity Coalition was attended by over 250 attendees.

Creating Resiliency in Future Tech Careers

Coppin State University, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Morgan State University received Connecting Minority Community (CMC) Pilot Program grants totaling $11.1 million. These grants will equip more students with the skills and technology needed to be competitive in an increasingly digital economy.

Public Outreach Engagement

Maryland held six outreach conferences, from the mountainous region of Maryland in the west to Maryland’s eastern coastal plains. The conferences focused on Internet for All and featured leaders and experts from the broadband industry, as well as state and local officials. Input from stakeholders will be incorporated into the Digital Equity Plan as well as the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Final Proposal. Maryland’s State Broadband Office conducted numerous webinars focused on closing the digital divide in Maryland.

BEAD Allocation Event

Maryland hosted a stakeholder and press event announcing its BEAD allocation, which was attended by over 75 community, business, and state government stakeholders. U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves, along with Governor Wes Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller spoke at the event.

Industry Engagement

To prepare for the implementation of the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth’s (OICG) BEAD and Digital Equity programs, Maryland hosted several workshops attended by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). OICG provided technical assistance to assist with the development of the workshops, which were well received and greatly increased stakeholder engagement and awareness of the programs.

Public Engagement and Sharing Resources

Maryland’s Federal Program Officer (FPO) for BEAD and Digital Equity, Maryland’s State Broadband Office, and the City of Baltimore hosted a conference at Coppin State University to raise awareness of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) programs, foster connections, answer questions, and share resources about Internet for All with state policymakers and community partners. The event featured NTIA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary April McClain-Delaney and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.

Community Interaction

NTIA staff attended a state-held community conversation with the Rural Maryland Council and government officials in Annapolis, Maryland. The all-day event was attended by over 250 stakeholders and featured both national and local experts focused on closing the digital divide. NTIA staff listened to firsthand accounts of the issues and opportunities related to broadband adoption in the state.