State invests $92 million in rural broadband across state

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(April 20, 2023) More state funding is coming to Worcester County to expand access to broadband for rural residents.

On April 5, Gov. Wes Moore announced that the state is awarding about $92 million to expand access to around 14,500 households and businesses across the state through the Connect Maryland initiative.

“Internet access is essential for Marylanders to have a pathway to receive critical information, be involved with their communities and participate in the local economy,” Moore said in a statement. “These awards help ensure that the infrastructure exists to make Maryland more equitable.”

About $4.5 million of that money is going to Talkie Communications for 319 homes in Worcester County.

Andre DeMattia, who owns Talkie with his twin brother Andrew, said in an email that the funding comes as part of a three-year plan to complete areas that include Pocomoke City, Girdletree, Stockton, Newark, Bishopville, Whaleyville and parts of the Nassawango Hills area.

The total cost to provide internet access to all unserved county residents is about $70 million, he said.

DeMattia said Talkie has secured “over $100 million” in grant funding to extend fiber optic internet to 15 Maryland counties and three in Delaware. The money consists of state, federal and county funds and is meant for areas where “wireless solutions are the only available option.”

“Our priority is to target these underserved regions first before overbuilding,” he said.

So far, about 52,000 rural homes in Maryland have been connected to broadband through state initiatives.

“Broadband is the utility that will determine economic outcomes in much the same way water and sewer systems have been for the past 150 years,” Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day said in a statement. “Full participation in the digital economy is essential for resolving inequities for countless Marylanders and the Office of Statewide Broadband is committed to closing the digital divide.”

Choptank Electric Cooperative also received funding from the grant for Worcester County, earning about $2.3 million for 243 homes.

Stickers required now for yard debris collection in Pines

(April 20, 2023) Ocean Pines Public Works announced changes to its leaf collection program.

Starting on May 1, residents will need a sticker to display on their vehicle when dropping off leaves or other yard debris at the Public Works yard on 1 Firehouse Lane.

The stickers will be free for the first year (2023). To obtain a sticker, contact Public Works at 410-6417425.

Residents with a sticker may use the Public Works yard to drop off yard debris May 1-27, Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The yard may also open on an asneeded basis, but residents must call Public Works prior to dropping off debris outside of normal operating hours.

Ocean Pines will continue to pick up bagged leaves in November and December, and Republic Services will continue their leaf collection program.

However, Public Works will no longer operate the vacuum truck and homeowners will be responsible for bagging leaves in drainage ditches on See