Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc.

We’re excited to share that Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc. is sponsoring the Rural Maryland Council’s Maryland Day event on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Lawyer’s Mall in Annapolis! This event will bring together rural stakeholders and legislators to discuss the future of rural Maryland.

Case Study: MdBC’s Chesapeake Bay Crossing Project ?? We’re excited to announce that the Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc. has published a case study on our Chesapeake Bay Crossing Project, showcasing our efforts to expand broadband connectivity across Maryland’s Eastern and Western Shores. This landmark initiative strengthens broadband access in Maryland’s underserved communities, enhances network resiliency, and promotes regional collaboration. Key highlights include: ?? Strategic Infrastructure Expansion: Fiber optic link across the Chesapeake Bay to connect rural communities to high-speed internet. ?? Public-Private Partnerships: Leveraging resources to ensure communities get the high-speed broadband they need. ?? Funding & Collaboration: A blend of state, federal, and private investments to expand service across Maryland. ?? Impact: Better access for education, healthcare, and local businesses, with enhanced network reliability during emergencies. Dive into the full case study for more insights on how we are closing the digital divide and supporting economic growth. ???? Read the full story on our website. #BroadbandExpansion #RuralConnectivity #MdBConnect #PublicPrivatePartnership #ChesapeakeBay #Maryland

Advocating for Rural Maryland & Strengthening Partnerships! Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc. had an incredible time attending Rural Maryland Day, the 6th Annual Technology Transformation Conference, Taste of the Eastern Shore, and the Southern Maryland Reception! A huge shoutout to Rural Maryland Council's Charlotte Davis and our five founding Regional Councils for their leadership in advancing economic growth and connectivity across Maryland: ? Tri-County Council For Southern Maryland – John Hartline ? Upper Shore Regional Council – Susan O'Neill, MPA, CPM ? Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore – Gregory Padgham ? Mid-Shore Regional Council – Scott Warner ? Tri County Council for Western Maryland – Guy Winterberg A special thank you to Senate President Bill Ferguson for his leadership and time to hear about Rural Maryland Council's impact across the State of Maryland. It was an honor to share this space with Jerry McLaurin and Sandra Pruitt of the People for Change Coalition, highlighting the diverse impact of the Rural Maryland Council in supporting Public-Private Partnerships across rural Maryland, beyond Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc. These events provided an invaluable platform to engage with state legislators, business leaders, and community advocates, ensuring that broadband remains a top priority for Maryland’s future. We’re grateful for the opportunity to discuss infrastructure investments, economic development, and digital equity initiatives that directly impact our rural communities. If we connected at one of these events, we’d love to continue the conversation—drop a comment or reach out! #MDBConnected #BroadbandForAll #RuralMaryland #TechTransformation

Continuing a Month of Advocacy & Connection! Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc. is proud to attend the 27th Annual Southern Maryland Reception, hosted by the Tri-County Council For Southern Maryland, on February 20, 2025! This event is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the economic growth and innovation happening across Southern Maryland while engaging with elected officials, business leaders, and community partners. Broadband infrastructure plays a crucial role in regional development, and we’re eager to be part of the conversation. ?? Where: Graduate Annapolis, 126 West Street, Annapolis, MD ?? When: February 20, 2025 | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM If you’ll be there, let’s connect! For event details or registration, check out the event flyer below.

Exciting Week of Networking and Advocacy This week, Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc. is thrilled to be attending three incredible events in Maryland that bring together leaders and policymakers to support our communities: ?? Rural Maryland Council - Rural Maryland Day – February 13, 2025 ?? The Maryland Inn, Annapolis | 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM We’ll also be attending Rural Maryland Day, where rural communities come together to engage with legislators and discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing rural areas of Maryland. It's the perfect platform to advocate for rural initiatives and strengthen partnerships. ?? Maryland Tech Council?- 6th Annual Technology Transformation Conference – February 13, 2025 ?? Live! Casino & Hotel in Maryland, The Hall | 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM Join the Maryland Tech Council for the 6th Annual Technology Transformation Conference, where Maryland-based tech companies and professionals will gather to share knowledge about the latest technologies transforming today’s business landscape. Topics include cybersecurity, digital transformation, IT infrastructure, AI, and more. Don’t miss out on the exhibit hall, networking opportunities, and distinguished panel discussions! ?? Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland in partnership with the Mid-Shore Regional Council and the Upper Shore Regional Council - Taste of the Eastern Shore – February 13, 2025 ?? Graduate Annapolis Hotel | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Join us and our technology partner Ciena for this unique event, where we’ll have the chance to network with Maryland Senators, Delegates, and key Cabinet Secretaries. It’s a great opportunity to connect with decision-makers and showcase the incredible opportunities across the Eastern Shore! We’re excited for an impactful week and look forward to connecting with fellow advocates, industry leaders, and policymakers! #MDBConnected

Supporting Southern Maryland's Healthcare Community We’re proud to support the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) in its recent fundraising success! SMECO employees raised an incredible $60,000 through their Annual Charity Golf Outing, benefiting three local hospitals: CalvertHealth Medical Center, University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, and MedStar Health St. Mary’s Hospital. As a Diamond Sponsor of the event, Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc. joined forces with other generous partners to help fund critical healthcare initiatives in Southern Maryland, including cancer care, emergency department improvements, and patient support services. A special thank you to SMECO for their continued commitment to strengthening local healthcare and to the employees and vendors whose generosity makes a lasting impact in our community.

Transformative news for Maryland’s Eastern Shore with 100G Rural Connectivity! Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc. (MdBC) and Choptank Fiber, LLC have successfully deployed two 100 Gigabit circuits, marking a major milestone in advancing ultra-fast, reliable internet access to rural communities. This collaboration is transformative, dramatically enhancing broadband capacity and ensuring faster internet speeds for residents, businesses, and institutions across the region. With this state-of-the-art technology, Eastern Shore communities can now thrive in the digital age, enabling economic growth, education, healthcare, and remote work opportunities. By leveraging MdBC’s fiber infrastructure and Choptank Fiber’s local service, these 100 Gigabit circuits will drive innovation and keep rural Maryland competitive with urban areas. The future is looking bright for our digital-first world! ?? #MDBConnected

Exciting Developments in Rural Broadband and Economic Growth for Southern Maryland! At last week's Tri-County Council meeting, Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc. President Drew Van Dopp shared significant strides in bringing reliable internet access to underserved communities like Nanjemoy and Newburg. A partnership with Think Big Networks and state investments are helping overcome challenges like dense forestry and small populations to ensure that everyone has access to the world. Additionally, Stephen Rice from the Maryland Department of Commerce highlighted the state’s focus on growth in key sectors like life sciences and computational biology, which will drive future economic expansion. With new leadership coming into the council, including St. Mary’s County Commissioner Mike Alderson Jr. as chair, this is an exciting time for Southern Maryland!?

We are proud to sponsor Mountain Maryland PACE 2025! A heartfelt thank you to all who participated and made this event possible. Your insightful conversations, collaborative spirit, and ongoing support made the experience truly impactful. We look forward to continuing our work together and achieving new milestones. The Governor's powerful address last Friday highlighted the importance of continued collaboration and investment in our region's future, emphasizing how partnerships are key to driving economic growth and innovation. Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc.'s Drew Van Dopp, Wayne Howard, Tim Hayes, and Megan Speake, MAM had the pleasure of presenting alongside our Ciena partners Mayna Jayanti, Charles Graham, and Greg Sysak. #MDBConnected

Mountain Maryland PACE 2025 – Proud Sponsors! For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/ex6TmJzD Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc. is committed to making a positive impact across our communities by working together to enhance broadband access and discuss the essential resources needed to bridge the digital divide. Join us again this year! #MDBConnected