By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

Gov. Larry Hogan

(Aug. 27, 2020) Worcester County is among 21 jurisdictions in Maryland to receive grant awards to expand broadband access for education.

“Our administration is committed to expanding broadband to every corner of our state, and as many local school systems prepare for remote or hybrid learning models in the fall, this access is more important than ever,” said Gov. Larry Hogan. “These grants will support partnerships between the state, local governments, and internet service providers to ensure distance learning options are available and accessible for all Maryland students.”

Worcester County received $11,200 of the nearly $8 million in grant assistance awarded to Maryland public school systems by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and administered by the Governor’s Office of Rural Broadband.

“Many of our students live in areas of the county that lack access to the Internet,” said Vince Tolbert, the chief financial officer of the school system. “Worcester County Public Schools is utilizing the $11,200 in funding awarded from the Governor’s Broadband grant to purchase 200 additional hotspots to distribute to those students.”

Another $2 million in grant awards will benefit “feasibility and design studies for a statewide fixed wireless network to further expand access for unserved students in rural areas,” the press release stated.

That network is expected to be operational by the start of the 2021-22 academic year.