Maryland awarding 145,000 laptops to eligible underserved residents

(The Center Square) — Maryland is doing its part during National Digital Inclusion Week to close the state’s “digital divide” by distributing approximately 145,000 laptops to qualifying Maryland residents.

Maryland’s Office of Statewide Broadband awarded more than 30,000 HP Chromebooks to the city of Baltimore at a Digital Equity Resource Fair on Monday as part of a larger award of over 91,000 laptops for eligible underserved households across the state. At least 50,000 more devices will be distributed statewide “following a second application round that closed September 29,” according to a press release from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Based on a figure shared in the release, in total, the laptops are valued at nearly $29 million.

Digital Inclusion Week started in 2016 as “Digital Inclusion Day.” Its founder, an Ohio-based nonprofit called the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, expanded the event to a week in 2017 and it’s been celebrated as such ever since.

“Across the state, there are hundreds of thousands of Marylanders whose entire economic future will be either limited – or unlocked – by whether or not they have access to affordable internet,” said MDHCD Secretary Jake Day.

Applicants must be 18 years or older and must supply a photo ID, proof of residence in the awarded jurisdiction and evidence of one of the following: Household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, enrollment in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program or participation in certain government assistance programs. Households are limited to one laptop through the program.

- Advertisement -

The state’s goal is to “eventually eliminate the number of communities and residents being underserved by the current internet infrastructure.”

The devices are awarded through the Maryland Connected Devices Program, the Office of Statewide Broadband program. Maryland’s fiscal year 2022 supplemental budget no. 5 apportioned $30 million for the program.

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Op-Ed: Pennsylvania’s energy mandate

(The Center Square) – The inauguration of President Donald...

Kidwell pushes for North Carolina to be 30th with constitutional carry

(The Center Square) – Gun owners could carry weapons...

Shreveport’s Hispanic community expresses fear over immigration crackdown

(The Center Square) − Shreveport’s Hispanic residents are voicing...

Illinois quick hits: Chicago mayor to testify about sanctuary status

Chicago mayor to testify about sanctuary status ...

Petersen files paperwork to run in Arizona attorney general race

(The Center Square) - Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen...

House passes bill blocking future presidential bans on hydraulic fracking

(The Center Square) – A bill preventing future presidents...

Many medical providers end transgender youth procedures after Trump order

Late last month, President Donald Trump signed an executive...

Controversial initiative bill gets mixed testimony

(The Center Square) – A Washington state bill that...

More like this
Related

Op-Ed: Pennsylvania’s energy mandate

(The Center Square) – The inauguration of President Donald...

Kidwell pushes for North Carolina to be 30th with constitutional carry

(The Center Square) – Gun owners could carry weapons...

Shreveport’s Hispanic community expresses fear over immigration crackdown

(The Center Square) − Shreveport’s Hispanic residents are voicing...

Illinois quick hits: Chicago mayor to testify about sanctuary status

Chicago mayor to testify about sanctuary status ...