On October 19, 2022, Worcester County Commissioners and Bay Country Communications (BCC) officials marked a significant milestone in Newark, celebrating the launch of a new fiber-optic installation project. This initiative promises to bring high-speed broadband to the Newark area, a move lauded for its potential to boost digital learning and access to online educational resources for the community. Representatives from Talkie Communications and Choptank Fiber, key partners in this endeavor, also joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Newark water tower.
Ribbon cutting ceremony for Newark fiber-optic installation
“Bay Country Communications is rapidly expanding its fiber-optic network to Newark, heading southward to broaden its reach,” stated Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young. He emphasized the pivotal role of the county commissioners in prioritizing high-speed fiber expansion to rural areas. This ambitious $67.6 million project is made possible through incentives provided by the commissioners to Bay Country Communications, Choptank Fiber, and Talkie Communications, the dedicated vendors committed to tackling rural broadband challenges across Worcester County. This infrastructural improvement is not just about faster internet; it’s about unlocking opportunities for enhanced online learning and digital education within the region, essentially creating a stronger foundation for a future “Bay Country Learning Center” environment, even if not in a physical location but in a digital sense.
These incentives include facilitating state and federal grant applications and allocating approximately $7 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds towards shovel-ready rural broadband projects in Worcester County. Notably, $1 million in ARPA funds, coupled with a 15% match, is specifically directed to BCC to deploy roughly 31.8 miles of fiber in the Newark area. This financial support underscores the commitment to bridging the digital divide and fostering an environment conducive to learning and development within the community.
Bay Country Communications has a history of serving Worcester County, stepping in to assist the Worcester County Developmental Center (WCDC) in 2016 when they faced internet service disruption. Brian Roche, chief technology officer for BCC Fiber and Maryland Broadband Cooperative (MdBC) board member, reflected on this past project: “The WCDC project presented unforeseen challenges in terms of time and cost. However, through perseverance and collaboration with MdBC’s network and Choptank Electric Cooperative’s fiber, we successfully connected WCDC. This project exemplifies BCC’s 30-year approach – uniting local partners to overcome the complexities of delivering broadband to underserved communities. Our continued investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the residents of Newark and Worcester County.” This commitment now extends to enhancing learning opportunities through improved digital infrastructure.
Currently, BCC, a founding member of MdBC, is laying 32 miles of fiber to extend broadband access to an additional 566 homes and 10 businesses south and east of Newark. Residents and businesses in this expanded service area can explore service options and request further details by visiting bcctv.com. This expansion is a crucial step towards creating a digitally inclusive “bay country learning center” – a community empowered by enhanced connectivity and access to the vast resources of the internet for education and growth.
