The Maryland Board of Public Works has taken another step forward in bringing high-speed internet access to underserved parts of the state.
A recent resource-sharing agreement between the Maryland Department of Information Technology and the Maryland Broadband Cooperative – a ‘middle-mile’ fiber optic network – grants the state exclusive access to 26 miles of fiber optic cable across Allegany and Garrett counties in rural western Maryland. With an initial state investment of $250,000, the deal is valued at $3.5 million in total in-kind value to the state.
The new 26-mile stretch of fiber optic cable connects 17 state-owned towers, 15 Maryland Department of Transportation intelligent transportation system devices, 473 homes and businesses, and 48 community institutions, such as schools.
“Since Day One, our administration has been committed to expanding access to high-speed internet to all Marylanders, because connectivity is not a luxury – it is a necessity,” said Governor Wes Moore. “This new agreement is a direct investment in the future of Western Maryland, ensuring our families, students, and businesses in Allegany and Garrett counties have the robust, high-speed internet access they need to thrive.”
Under the agreement, private companies and the state share existing fiber optic infrastructure – such as towers, rights of way, rooftops, and bridges – in exchange for either financial compensation or in-kind contributions. This saves time and money by reducing the need to build new fiber optic infrastructure, officials said. The Maryland Department of Information Technology’s Statewide Resource Sharing Agreement program has helped save the State approximately $50 million annually by optimizing the use of existing public assets, officials said.
The agreement aligns with the Moore administration’s ongoing broadband expansion efforts. Since 2023, the state has connected more than 43,000 homes – impacting more than 110,000 residents – across Maryland. This effort includes a nearly $2 million initiative completed in September 2025 to bring high-speed internet to Smith Island, connecting more than 200 homes and businesses.
On February 4, 2026, Maryland secured $79.1 million in federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment funding, which will target the remaining 9,000 unserved and underserved locations in 18 counties.
