Maryland to buy laptops for 150,000 households

Governor Larry Hogan (R-MD) said the state’s Office of Statewide Broadband will spend up to $30 million on laptops for about 150,000 households. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, which contains the broadband office, plans to partner with local governments and community groups to distribute the devices to “underserved” households, according to Gov. Hogan. Jurisdictions will be able to apply for the laptops starting in November. In addition to distributing laptops, the state also operates an Emergency Broadband Benefits Program (EBB), which provides subsidies to low-income households to help pay their internet bills. That program has dispensed $4.6 million this year, according to the state broadband office.