MARYLAND – The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development announced $1.27 million in Fiscal Year 2025 awards on Thursday to help Marylanders on the Eastern Shore access high-speed internet.
According to the Department of Housing and Community Development, awards through the Home Stretch for Public Housing program, are being administered by the Office of Statewide Broadband. Officials say the awards will help provide internet access to 87 unserved households in Wicomico and Worcester counties.
The department says grants will provide funding to fix or upgrade internal wiring and install common area Wi-Fi for municipally owned and non-profit, low-income multi-dwelling units. Officials say a total of $13,698,394 will be awarded to enhance internet services, including $1,279,381 to internet service provider Simple Fiber to use in the following locations:
- Severn Homes in Wicomico County (30 units served)
- Homes for America in Wicomico County (30 units served)
- Homes for America in Worcester County (27 units served)
“Every household we connect through the Moore-Miller Administration’s Home Stretch for Public Housing program closes the digital divide in Maryland and means more people have access to better broadband services, regardless of where they live,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day.