Grant fuels efforts for county-wide Internet

$50,000 awarded to fund feasibility study
From Staff Reports
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Fri Sep 09, 2011, 11:21 PM EDT

CUMBERLAND — A $50,000 federal grant is fueling local and state efforts to make high-speed Internet available across Allegany County — an improvement that is expected to attract new jobs and businesses to the area.

The Appalachian Regional Commission awarded the grant this week to the Allegany County Board of Education, which is part of a multi-agency partnership that is striving to improve Internet access across Western Maryland.

Maryland received more than $115 million last fall through the American Reinvestment & Recovery Act to extend broadband access across the state, particularly in rural areas. The project is called One Maryland Broadband Network (OMBN).

“It’s really a cooperative partnership,” said Nil Grove, chief technology officer for the school system, which has already received funds through OMBN to extend broadband to 14 of its 22 school buildings. Construction is expected to start this spring.

The $50,000 ARC grant will help fund a feasibility study for how to connect the eight remaining school buildings, as well as libraries, public safety, and other government agencies across the region, Grove said.

Garrett County received a similar $50,000 ARC grant in May and is in the midst of conducting a feasibility study.

“We’re hopeful and anxious because of what we think it can do for our schools,” Grove said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity.”

Eventually, the intention is to make affordable, high-speed Internet available to residents throughout the state.

“This federal funding will help grow Western Maryland’s economy, making an investment that will draw in new visitors, improve education, and attract new high-tech businesses, jobs, and economic development to the region,” Sen. Barbara Mikulski said in a press release announcing ARC grants to Allegany and Washington counties.

The Washington County Free Library received $61,000 to purchase new computers and replace obsolete equipment, and the town of Williamsport received $20,000 to develop bike lanes to attract tourists

Said U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin: “Technology is the key to jobs, innovation and growth in the 21st century, and this funding will give residents of Washington and Allegany County the tools they need to succeed.”

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