MdBC’s Chesapeake Bay Crossing

Overview

The Maryland Broadband Cooperative (MdBC), in collaboration with Maryland state and local partners, initiated the Bay Crossing Project to strengthen broadband connectivity across Maryland’s Eastern and Western Shores. This strategic infrastructure development represents a critical step in MdBC’s mission to provide high-speed broadband to underserved communities. The project focused on installing a robust fiber optic network across the Chesapeake Bay to foster greater digital access, economic development, and resilience in Maryland’s rural and coastal areas.

Project Components

1. Strategic Infrastructure Expansion
The Bay Crossing Project entailed constructing an essential fiber optic link across the Chesapeake Bay to connect the state’s rural communities to broader, high-capacity networks. This link included:

• Middle-Mile Fiber Network Development: Creating a backbone for internet service providers (ISPs) to reach underserved rural regions.
• Enhanced Resiliency: Providing a redundant network path to ensure stable, high-speed internet services, even in emergencies.
• Interagency and Regional Collaboration: Working closely with local, state, and regional stakeholders to align on goals and execution for maximum impact.

2. Public-Private Partnership Model
MdBC leveraged a public-private partnership model to optimize resource sharing and efficiency. This collaboration enabled MdBC to:

• Coordinate with ISPs and local governments, ensuring that newly accessible high-speed internet would reach communities and organizations that need it most.
• Develop agreements that attracted investments from private entities while maintaining MdBC’s core mission of community-centered broadband expansion.

Funding Details

The Bay Crossing Project was funded through a combination of state and federal grants, alongside private sector investments. The multi-source funding approach allowed MdBC to maximize the project’s scope and scalability.

Program Partners

• Regional Councils and State Agencies: These entities provided insights into the needs of local businesses, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions, ensuring that network deployment was targeted and effective.
• Local Internet Service Providers (ISPs): As project beneficiaries and collaborators, ISPs facilitated last-mile connections, expanding service to homes and businesses across Maryland’s rural areas.

Outcomes and Impact

The Bay Crossing Project is a landmark in MdBC’s efforts to bridge Maryland’s digital divide. This project not only serves as a model for strategic broadband infrastructure but also exemplifies the power of partnerships between state agencies, private companies, and local stakeholders. MdBC continues to build on this foundation, focusing on regional network expansions and strengthening Maryland’s position as a leader in rural broadband connectivity.

• Expanded Broadband Access: The Bay Crossing Project extended broadband infrastructure to historically underserved communities, creating new opportunities for remote education, healthcare, and e-commerce.
• Enhanced Network Reliability: By adding a redundant pathway across the Bay, the project improved network resilience, minimizing potential outages and ensuring continued service during severe weather and emergencies.
• Economic Growth: Increased connectivity supports local economies by attracting new businesses, boosting existing industries, and offering communities the digital tools needed to thrive.

For further information, contact MdBC at (410) 341-6322 or [email protected].