MDBC’S INDIAN HEAD FIBER EXPANSION
Overview
In 2010, the state of Maryland, as the primary recipient, and Maryland Broadband Cooperative (MdBC), as a sub-recipient, were awarded BTOP funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration). This funding allowed Maryland to build significant new fiber optic spans to reach community anchor institutions and state facilities across the state. Maryland Broadband participated in these expansions as the state’s partner, providing Open Access to the new fiber network to support both private sector growth and institutions not directly included in the state’s deployment plan.
Project Components
1. High-Bandwidth Fiber Infrastructure
One notable aspect of the BTOP project was the extensive fiber build-out in Charles County, Maryland, including a new fiber path from La Plata to Indian Head Highway. However, when the project ended in 2013, the fiber did not extend south into the town of Indian Head, leaving the community without direct benefit from the expansion.
To address this, in 2016-2017, Maryland Broadband, in partnership with the town of Indian Head, the Maryland Department of Commerce, and Charles County, developed and funded a project to extend fiber optic cable several miles along Indian Head Highway to the town’s center and the front gate of the Navy’s Indian Head NSF. This expansion enabled ISPs to provide competitive services and supported economic revitalization efforts, including a redevelopment project at the property formerly known as Ely’s Warehouse, a 13,000-square-foot facility that became the Velocity Center.
2. Community Revitalization and Strategic Partnerships
Shortly after the fiber extension, the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland orchestrated additional funding of approximately $300,000 to assist in renovating the Ely’s property into what is now known as the Velocity Center. Maryland Broadband’s prior fiber deployment made it easy to provide a lateral connection to this newly renovated facility, ensuring robust broadband access. This infrastructure investment was further leveraged when the College of Southern Maryland, a long-time MdBC member, sought a dark fiber connection from the Velocity Center to its La Plata campus. MdBC was able to provide this connectivity, supporting educational programs and activities at the Velocity Center.
The Velocity Center at Indian Head is operated and managed by the College of Southern Maryland (CSM). This 13,000-square-foot facility is located just outside of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD). The Velocity Center serves as a collaborative learning space that fosters innovation, workforce development, and economic growth, specifically targeting industries aligned with the Navy’s needs and supporting Southern Maryland’s talent pipeline. The Velocity Center’s primary mission is to educate, train, and retain skilled workers in a variety of fields, particularly those related to defense and technology.
The Center offers a space for academia, the Navy, and the local community to work together on projects that will impact both local economic development and the broader defense sector. By providing access to high-speed broadband via MdBC’s fiber infrastructure, the Velocity Center enables businesses and educational institutions to collaborate efficiently, enhancing Southern Maryland’s position as a regional hub for defense and technology innovation.
Funding and Support
This project was made possible through collaborative funding from:
- The U.S. Department of Commerce
- The Maryland Department of Information Technology
- The Maryland Department of Commerce
- Charles County
- The Town of Indian Head
- The Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland
- The College of Southern Maryland
Outcomes and Impact
Expanded Broadband Access: The new fiber infrastructure enabled ISP services, improving connectivity for businesses and residents. This expansion also positioned Indian Head as a competitive location for future investments and business development.
Economic Revitalization: Fiber connectivity played a key role in the transformation of the Ely’s Warehouse property into the Velocity Center. The center now serves as a catalyst for business incubation, local entrepreneurship, and workforce development in Southern Maryland.
Enhanced Educational Connectivity: The College of Southern Maryland leveraged the fiber connection for expanded digital resources, remote learning opportunities, and research initiatives, creating a valuable partnership between the educational and local business sectors.
Workforce Development: The Velocity Center plays an integral role in workforce development by offering a space for educational institutions, defense contractors, and local businesses to train and collaborate, addressing the skill gaps in Southern Maryland’s growing tech and defense sectors.
Historic Reference
The Ely’s Warehouse property, once a thriving industrial site, had been left vacant for years before its revitalization. The Maryland Broadband Cooperative’s investment in broadband infrastructure was pivotal to the site’s transformation. By providing fiber access to the area, MdBC helped unlock its potential for economic development and community revitalization. This transformation also aligned with the larger vision for Southern Maryland’s economic future—one that emphasized innovation, education, and workforce development.
In a broader historical context, this project is a continuation of MdBC’s long-standing commitment to improving broadband access across rural Maryland. MdBC has been a critical player in the state’s broadband efforts, including projects like the BTOP funding initiative in 2010, the installation of 100G circuits as early as 2017, and partnerships with local governments and educational institutions to enhance digital access in underserved areas.
Legacy
This project exemplifies the long-term value of proactive infrastructure investment and strategic partnerships. As MdBC President & CEO Drew Van Dopp stated:
“It is never cheaper to build new infrastructure later. It’s always better to build it now and have it available when your partners need it. This project highlights the importance of collaboration between multiple entities—including federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as private and educational institutions—to bring broadband solutions where they are needed most.”
For more information, contact MdBC at 410-341-6322 or [email protected]
Membership Reference
The College of Southern Maryland officially became a member of Maryland Broadband Cooperative (MdBC) on March 11, 2011. This partnership has been integral in the ongoing success of broadband expansion efforts in the region, particularly through the Velocity Center and other joint initiatives.
References
1. Velocity Center at Indian Head
College of Southern Maryland
[Velocity Center Information – CSM Website](https://www.csmd.edu/about/locations/velocity-center/index.html#:~:text=The%2013%2C000%2Dsquare%2Dfoot%20facility,in%20Southern%20Maryland%20and%20beyond.)
2. Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland
[Tri-County Council Information – TCCSMD](http://www.tccsmd.org)
3. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division
[NSWC IHD Overview](https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/NSWC-Indian-Head/)
4. Ely’s Building Redevelopment
[Indian Head Approves Resolution for Construction on Ely’s Building – Southern Maryland News](https://www.somdnews.com/independent/news/local/indian-head-approves-resolution-for-construction-on-elys-building/article\_132862e3-c1af-518c-819b-c98a3c3c63ba.html)
