Governor Moore Launches Maryland ActNow Campaign to Close the Digital Divide in Maryland – Press Releases – News – Office of Governor Wes Moore
Governor Moore Launches Maryland ActNow Campaign to Close ... Governor Larry Hogan - Official Website for the Governor of Maryland
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ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland ActNow Campaign Launched to Close the Digital Divide
Governor Wes Moore partners with EducationSuperHighway to extend broadband internet access in Maryland
Governor Wes Moore has launched the Maryland ActNow campaign in partnership with EducationSuperHighway, demonstrating the commitment of the Moore-Miller administration to close the digital divide in Maryland. The campaign aims to provide broadband internet access to all Marylanders and make it more affordable. The governor was joined by U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves, state and local officials, and leadership from non-profit EducationSuperHighway to highlight the campaign partnership. The initiative will also utilize $267 million in federal funding to support Maryland’s broadband infrastructure.
“Access to the internet is no longer optional – it is essential and nobody should be locked out of the internet because of their income or where they live,” said Gov. Moore. “When it comes to getting folks online, our administration is very clear: we will not rest until every single Marylander has access to affordable and reliable internet. The discounts offered under this program and the investments we are making have the power to expand opportunities for Marylanders across the state. Leaving no one behind means getting everyone online.”
The ActNow Campaign and the Affordable Connectivity Program
The ActNow campaign is a public awareness initiative aimed at increasing enrollment for the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program. This program offers a $30 internet access discount for low-income households. The campaign, in collaboration with EducationSuperHighway and 20 community organizations, will focus on signing up eligible Maryland families for the Affordable Connectivity Program before the start of the new school year.
“Too many people are left behind because they can’t afford high-speed home internet, but 1 in 4 American households now qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program,” said Evan Marwell, Founder and CEO of EducationSuperHighway. “We applaud Governor Moore’s leadership in raising awareness of this critical program to connect Marylanders to the home internet they need to thrive in today’s world and close the digital divide.”
EducationSuperHighway works to bridge the digital divide for the 18 million households in America that have access to the internet but cannot afford to connect. The organization focuses on connecting America’s most unconnected communities, where more than 25% of people lack internet access.
Federal Funding for Broadband Infrastructure
On June 26, Governor Moore announced that Maryland would receive over $267 million in federal funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Distribution program. This funding is part of President Joseph R. Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and aims to provide high-speed internet access to every Marylander. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Office of Statewide Broadband is currently developing a plan for deploying these funds, taking into account public webinars and outreach conferences held earlier this year.
“Today, access to the internet is nothing short of a fundamental need. That’s why we fought for historic funding in the infrastructure modernization law to connect Marylanders in rural and urban communities alike who still lack reliable and affordable broadband,” said U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen. “I’m glad to see our state leading the way in leveraging these federal investments so we can reach our goal of closing the digital divide once and for all.”
“In Maryland, there are more than 44,000 broadband locations that are underserved or unserved. Each of those locations represents a generations-old farm that can’t harvest using modern tools, a fledgling small business stuck in an analog era, an elderly or disabled person cut off from vital telehealth care, or a young student missing out on life-changing opportunities that the digital world can provide,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. “Maryland will receive an investment of nearly $268 million to ensure everyone in the state has internet access. Many have tried to bridge that gap to expand broadband infrastructure to every corner of this country, but President Biden is making it a reality, and once again proving that there’s no limit to what this country can do when we work together.”
Progress in Closing the Digital Divide
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Office of Statewide Broadband has been investing in broadband infrastructure and equity programs since 2017, with a total investment of over $300 million. This investment has provided high-speed internet access to approximately 52,000 previously unserved homes and businesses across the state.
Community Partnerships and Digital Literacy
The launch event for the Maryland ActNow campaign took place at the Michael E. Busch Library in Annapolis. This library, along with other libraries in Maryland, is taking steps to ensure residents can benefit from the Affordable Connectivity Program through digital literacy classes and community partnerships. The entire library staff is fully trained on the program’s benefits and how to assist Marylanders in signing up.
“Public libraries serve as a community connector, using our resources and partnerships to educate, enrich, and inspire the lives of all people,” said Anne Arundel County Public Library CEO Skip Auld. “We are proud to work with federal, state, and local officials, along with community partners, to help build a future where all people connect, grow, and belong.”
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020 | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.c: By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing states | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.b: By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
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Source: governor.maryland.gov
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