June 25th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

 Congressman David Trone (MD-06) announced that he secured a historic $883,574 investment for broadband expansion in Garrett County as a part of the FY 2022 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies funding bill. The Garrett County Broadband Expansion Project will ensure that 270 households, 24 farms, and 17 businesses from Route 135 at Mountain Lake Park, Maryland to Bloomington, Maryland receive high-speed internet. The bill will be considered by the Appropriations Committee in the coming weeks and then head to the House floor for a vote before August.

 

Trone is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and single handedly requested funding for this and other critical local projects earlier this year. Trone made these requests, otherwise known as Community Project Funding, in order to address the dire need for investment in local projects that will help lead to increased economic growth and job creation. 

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for broadband expansion with many students falling behind on remote learning due to the lack of internet. Approximately 425,000 Marylanders lack broadband with most of them — more than 324,000 people — living in rural communities.

 

“Since being elected to Congress, I’ve been working with local leaders in Garrett County to ensure every Western Marylander has access to quality, affordable high-speed internet. Western Maryland deserves to see the benefits high-speed internet brings to a region,” said Congressman David Trone. “Internet access is critical for telemedicine, telehealth, and most importantly — jobs. This funding that was announced today is a win for investing in Garrett County’s way of life and allowing people to enjoy the beauty of Mountain Maryland while maintaining access to the essential services that broadband provides.”