2 days ago
Grants provide opportunity for rural broadband access
Homes in rural sections of Frederick County might be able to get financial help to get broadband internet access, and the county's government will hold two meetings to provide help in the process.
County officials and workers from two telecommunications companies will hold two meetings in June and July with information on applying for grants to help get access to the service.
The meetings will be held at 6 p.m. on:
• June 24 at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St.
• July 8 at Middletown Branch Library, 31 E. Green St.
The grants can help provide high-speed internet access to homes too far from existing service lines to get it now, Jeff Chamberlain, manager of IT broadband and enterprise project management for Frederick County, said in a press release announcing the meetings.
The meetings will help make sure eligible residents have the information they need to get improved broadband services, he said.
Chamberlain will present information about the county's role in improving broadband service.
Grants Manager Mike Simons will give details about areas covered by the grants.
Representatives from Comcast and Shenandoah Telecommunications Company will have additional information on availability, costs, timelines, and construction of service.
A 2020 study by the county identified three areas of the county unserved by broadband service.
One area was north of Thurmont to the Pennsylvania border. Another stretched along the county's eastern border from the Pennsylvania line to north of Md. 26.
The third area in the southern corner of the county stretched along the Montgomery County boundary from the Monocacy River to west of Interstate 270.
Frederick County Council Member Mason Carter, whose district represents much of the northern part of the county, said in an interview that it's exciting that more people in the county and his district could get access to better internet service.
'It's certainly something that comes up from time to time,' he said.
Access to better internet service could significantly benefit businesses in the rural parts of the county, as well as residents, Carter said.
— Ryan Marshall
