WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Representative David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $2.9 Million in federal funding for broadband expansion in Garrett County provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Over the next decade, this funding will expand broadband access to 2,454 homes and businesses.

“Today, access to broadband is a critical public utility and a mandatory resource for the success of any community,” said Senator Cardin. “Its expansion throughout rural Maryland is long overdue. I am excited to see how this project enhances the potential of Garrett County residents, businesses, and students over the next decade.” 

“Expanding access to broadband opens doors across our communities, connecting students, jobseekers, healthcare providers, businesses, entrepreneurs, and more with the internet,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees. “These funds will help create more opportunity for Garrett County residents, and will ultimately boost the region’s economic potential. I will keep working to connect communities across our state to high-speed, reliable broadband internet.”

“Every American deserves access to reliable, high-speed internet,” said Rep. David Trone. “This critical funding will allow thousands of homes and businesses in Garrett County to have a fair chance at participating in our economy. Expanding broadband will help close the many gaps – homework, healthcare, and economic development – that exist in Western Maryland today.”

In April, the House passed Trone’s amendment that would help spur high-speed broadband deployment across Western Maryland. In June, the House passed a bipartisan Trone amendment that would increase funding for grants by $5 million to expand broadband deployment into rural communities that are underserved by private sector investment.

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