Somerset County granted $240K for broadband infrastructure

MARYLAND- The State government is continuing to help fill the gap when it comes to broadband infrastructure, which has been a big issue during the pandemic.

In an effort to help solve issues for broadband infrastructure, Governor Larry Hogan announced that nearly $30 million dollars in awards for broadband infrastructure are being given out to 18 counties.

Somserset County is being granted $240,000.

We’re told this money is going to go a long way, especially because Somerset is such a rural area.

Money is being given out by the Department of Housing and Community Development’s office.

Which, will then go to local internet service provides for projects.

In Somerset, Choptank Fiber will be getting the money for the Somerset Broadband Demo Project.

Somerset County Commissioner President said this money will be a great asset to the county by giving households connectivity to the internet, while also helping to further the education of the population.

“The lack of funding has played a tremendous part, has a tremendous impact on the residents of the county not being able to have access or have the affordability of internet services, so this funding will be instrumental in providing internet to a large number of households,” Craig Mathies, Board of Somerset County Commissioner President, said.

The Commissioner President said going forward he hopes that more financial support will be given out in order to provide more services.

We are told Choptank is having a public forum Tuesday night to speak about providing broadband to the county and answer questions about the project.

That forum is being held at the Tawes Vocational Center in Westover from 5:30 to 7:30.

We’re told the money being funded to Choptank is supposed to service 60 households.