Funding for broadband installation is now available to qualifying Carroll County residents in Carroll County who have long, private driveways and have been unable to receive internet installation.
As part of the county’s new Difficult to Serve – Long Driveway Grant Program, residents can receive up to $14,000 toward internet installation. The funding is for homes in rural areas that do not already have broadband, internet or cable TV infrastructure.
The $1.76 million program is being funded by the state’s fiscal 2024 Home Stretch – Difficult to Serve Properties Grant, which provides funding for connectivity where the cost to extend internet has been the primary barrier to obtaining service.
The county received $1.1 million from the state, Comcast pledged about $360,000 and the county is contributing $300,000, according to county spokesperson Chris Winebrenner.
The cost to provide internet service to rural homes, with lengthy driveways, can be high due to the cost to trench to the house, materials such as conduit and fiber, and any necessary network components, Winebrenner said.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 20 households in the county had applied for the funding, Winebrenner said. The exact number of eligible households is not known, but the county estimates that about 400 could qualify.
Homes located in areas currently scheduled for future broadband installation are not eligible, and funding is available per house or address. Homes that contain apartments or businesses are not eligible for additional funding.
Homeowners who already paid to have connections are not eligible to be reimbursed, and the grant does not cover equipment or services.
The Board of Carroll County Commissioners do not have the authority to tell internet service providers where to expand their service, but “the county does work with service providers to help them determine where service is needed,” according to a news release. “The county develops public/private partnerships that incentivize local service providers to build last-mile connections where needed. Using these relationships allows more efficient use of grant funds and connects properties more quickly.”
To apply, residents are asked to complete an application at https://www.carrollcountymd.gov/residents/carroll-county-residential-broadband/carroll-long-driveway-hard-to-connect-program. The county will also email residents who recently completed a broadband survey indicating their need for internet service.
Applications are due by May 31 and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, contact Carroll County Broadband Project Manager Jay Uebel at 410-386-2309 or [email protected].
Tyler Fields is your internet guru, delving into the latest trends, developments, and issues shaping the online world. With a focus on internet culture, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, Tyler keeps readers informed about the dynamic landscape of the internet and its impact on our digital lives.
