AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, IT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR FAMILIES TO HAVE COMPUTERS AND, BESIDES THIS, INTERNET CONNECTIONS. THERE ARE 100,000. MARYLAND RESIDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH SPEED INTERNET. WE TACKLE THE PROBLEM FROM EVERY ANGLE, LEAVING NOBODY BEHIND MEANS PUTTING EVERYONE ON THE LINE. IT’S A CONTINUING PROBLEM. THE STATE HOPES TO SOLVE WITH AN INFUSION OF MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IN A TUESDAY AFTERNOON NEWS CONFERENCE, THE STATE ANNOUNCED IT IS TAKING A BIG STEP TOWARDS IMPROVING ACCESS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED. WE THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT LEVEL OF ACCESSIBILITY AND CONVENIENCE IS AVAILABLE TO EVERY INDIVIDUAL PERSON WITHIN OUR STATE BECAUSE WITHOUT IT YOU BLOCK OUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANY OF OUR CHILDREN THAT THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW EXIST IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE STATE IS WORKING WITH EDUCATION SUPERHIGHWAY, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION TO HELP CLOSE MARYLAND’S DIGITAL DIVIDE. THEY ARE LEADING A PROGRAM CALLED THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM, OR ACP. IF YOU ARE ON MEDICAID, YOU ARE QUALIFIED. IF YOU ARE ON SNAP, YOU ARE QUALIFIED IF YOU RECEIVE A PELL GRANT OR IF YOU ARE ON FREE REDUCED LUNCH, YOU ARE QUALIFIED. THERE IS A WHOLE LIST OF THINGS SOCIETY HAS A TRACK RECORD OF HELPING PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONNECT STUDENTS THROUGH THE INTERNET, ACROSS THE COUNTRY. NOW IT WILL GO ONE STEP MORE TO HELP TARGET MARYLAND FAMILIES WHO CAN AFFORD BASIC TECHNOLOGY SERVICES. THEY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THAT SERVICE. THERE ARE MORE THAN 44,000 UNSERVED OR UNDERSERVED LOCATIONS IN MARYLAND ALONE. AND EACH OF THESE LOCATIONS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS SCHEDULE GO TO OUR WBAL TV 11 NEWS AT
Maryland will spend $267 million in federal funds to help thousands of people get online
State launches Affordable Connectivity Program to connect Marylanders to the Internet
Updated: 5:44 PM EDT July 18, 2023
Maryland has $267 million in federal funding to help thousands of residents get online. There are as many as 100,000 Marylanders who lack access to high-speed Internet. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was crucial for families to have computers and, in addition, to be connected to the internet. “There are more than 44,000 locations in Maryland alone that are underserved or underserved,” said US Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. State officials announced that Maryland is taking an important step toward improving access for families in need. “We feel it’s important to make sure that level of accessibility and affordability is available to every single person in our state because, without it, you’re blocking opportunities that many of our children don’t know exist in the first place.” The program offers a $30 Internet access discount for low-income families. “If you’re on Medicaid, you qualify. If you’re on SNAP, you qualify. If you’re on a Pell grant or have a free, reduced-price lunch, you’re eligible. There’s a whole list of things,” said Evan Marwell, CEO of Education SuperHighway. The company has a proven track record of helping public schools connect students to the Internet across the country. Now, it will go one step further in helping target Maryland families who cannot afford basic technology services.
Maryland has $267 million in federal funding to help thousands of residents get online.
There are as many as 100,000 Marylanders who lack access to high-speed Internet. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was imperative for families to have computers and, in addition, to connect them to the internet.
“There are more than 44,000 locations in Maryland alone that are either unserved or underserved,” said US Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves.
State officials announced that Maryland is taking an important step toward improving access for families in need.
“We will address this from every angle. Leaving no one behind means putting everyone online,” Gov. Wes Moore said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon. “We think it’s important to make sure that level of accessibility and affordability is available to every single person in our state because, without it, you’re blocking opportunities that many of our children don’t know exist in the first place.”
The state is working alongside the nonprofit Education SuperHighway to help bridge Maryland’s digital divide by spearheading a program called the Affordable Connectivity Program. The program offers a $30 Internet access discount for low-income families.
“If you’re on Medicaid, you qualify. If you’re on SNAP, you qualify. If you’re on a Pell grant or have a free, reduced-price lunch, you qualify. There’s a whole list of things,” said Evan Marwell, CEO of Education SuperHighway.
The company has a proven track record of helping public schools connect students to the Internet across the country. Now, it will go one step further in helping target Maryland families who cannot afford basic technology services.
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