In 2020, many Marylanders still lack high-speed internet. And that’s a problem for work and school.

An estimated 324,000 rural Marylanders don’t have access to high-speed internet, according to a 2019 report from a state task force. And in Baltimore, 96,000 households — more than 40% — lack access, a recent Abell Foundation report found, citing census data. Millions of dollars in federal funds are slated for new broadband access projects. This includes $10 million from the coronavirus stimulus package for a wireless education network for students in Western and Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore. Another $5 million will provide a similar student network for urban areas. Providers are often unwilling to cover low-density rural areas, where it costs more to build a network and there are fewer potential subscribers. In 2017, Gov. Larry Hogan (R-MD) created the state’s Office of Rural Broadband, which works with local governments and private companies. It helps secure federal funds and also offers grants to offset the costs of extending service to those without broadband. One such project will provide roughly $35,000 in state funds to cover half the cost of Comcast extending service to 24 homes on Grace and Black Rock roads in Baltimore County’s Upperco community by early next year.