Charles County, MD
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Our Mission
The Rural Broadband Task Force's mission is "to bring broadband to unserved areas of Charles County."
Access to broadband in rural areas is an issue throughout the nation, and Charles County is no exception. Although the more populated areas of our county have access to high-speed internet, there are many homes and businesses in the less-populated areas that do not.
Close to $3 Million Awarded to Expand Broadband Access
In April 2023, Governor Wes Moore announced that Charles County will receive almost $3 million in grant funding to expand broadband access through the FY23 Connect Maryland Network Infrastructure Grant Program. Two grants were awarded - one to Comcast and one to Verizon - that will extend infrastructure to an estimated 427 households and businesses across Charles County.
Read the full news release here.
Broadband Strategic Plan
The Broadband Strategic Plan has categorized the three types of unserved areas in the County:
- Category 1
- Contiguous areas where no infrastructure exists that can deliver broadband
- The NCN Broadband Buildout is a Category 1 project.
- The North Nanjemoy Broadband Buildout is a Category 1 project.
- Category 2
- Isolated pockets and roads that don't have broadband infrastructure but are located within otherwise-served areas
- The NBE-Cat2 is a Category 2 project.
- Category 3
- Locations at the end of long setbacks or driveways, requiring customers to contribute to to the cost of installation of the service drop.
- The LD-Cat3 is a Category 3 project.
Rural Broadband Task Force
The task force is comprised of 10 members from County departments and partner agencies, as well as 2 citizen representatives from unserved areas. The task force is pictured below with Governor Larry Hogan at the NCN Broadband Buildout groundbreaking ceremony on April 28, 2021.
From left to right:
- Erica Rizor, County Administrator's Office
- Matthew Jacobson, Information Technology
- Gina Markovich, Planning and Growth Management
- Governor Larry Hogan
- Renesha Miles, Chief Equity Officer
- Evelyn Jacobson, Chief Information Officer
- Katie Stickle, Resident of District 2
- Kevin Warring, Resident of District 1
- Deborah Hall, Deputy County Administrator
- Jeffrey Clements, Emergency Services
- Steve Andritz, Charles County Board of Education
Not pictured are Michelle DeSoto from the Economic Development Department and Thomas Dennison from the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO).