Talbot Co. Becomes First MD County Fully Connected to High-Speed Internet
TALBOT COUNTY, Md. – The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development announced that Talbot County has become the first county in the state to reach all locations with access to high-speed internet.
The infrastructure project, completed through Easton Utilities (EU), provided high-speed internet access to more than 2,700 eligible locations across the county. Since 2021, EU and Talbot County have received a combined total of more than $10 million in federal and state investment through the Department’s Office of Statewide Broadband to support the build-out of broadband infrastructure across the county. The project also aligns with the Moore-Miller Administration’s objective to connect all Marylanders to high-speed internet by 2030.
“Through sustained, coordinated investment and strong intergovernmental partnerships, the Office of Statewide Broadband is delivering results that make a real difference in the daily lives of Marylanders – expanding access to healthcare, education, job opportunities, and all of the benefits of the digital economy,” said Secretary Jake Day.
Officials say the five-year project to provide access to all county locations built upon existing infrastructure, enabling faster and more cost-effective deployment. Through close coordination with partnering agencies, EU deployed a fiber-to-the-home network that delivers high speeds, low latency, and reliable service.
“The completion of Connect Talbot is more than an infrastructure achievement, it’s a promise fulfilled to our community,” said John Horner, EU President and CEO.“This level of partnership demonstrates what’s possible when we align around a common goal: empowering every household and business with the connectivity they need to thrive.”
Through the Department’s Connect Maryland initiative, the state partners with the private sector and local jurisdictions to reduce the number of communities affected by lacking internet infrastructure. To date, the Department says one hundred percent of Maryland has access to or has been awarded funding for high-speed, reliable internet.
“Connect Talbot extends the vital resource of broadband access throughout our region, connecting our rural neighbors across the county to a faster network and enriching their quality of life,” said Easton Mayor Meghan Cook. “The collaboration among Easton Utilities, the Town of Easton, Talbot County, and state and federal agencies is a testament not only to the significance of this project, but also to the power of what can be accomplished when we work together.”
For more information about Maryland’s broadband initiatives, visit DHCD’s website here.
