In McHenry, Delaney Announces Broadband ARC Grant for Garrett County

MCHENRY – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) joined Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and Garrett County officials in announcing a $250,000 grant to Garrett County. The purpose of the grant is to expand broadband access to un-served and underserved areas of the country. The grant will fund a new wireless system that will beam out broadband to rural businesses and residences. This wireless system will be final link in the chain connecting rural homes and businesses to the existing telecommunications network.

“ARC support for broadband expansion is good news for Garrett County residents and businesses. In the early days of Western Maryland, roads, rails, and rivers connected our communities to the rest of the country. Much of today’s commerce and communication takes place online and high-speed, high-capacity, online access is as essential as a navigable river or a paved road once was,” said Congressman Delaney. “This is precisely the kind of communications infrastructure investment that I believe is essential to our region’s future economic health.”

The announcement was hosted by Michael Koch, the Director of the Garrett County Department of Economic Development and featured ARC federal co-chair Earl F. Gohl.

On July 11, Delaney voted against a measure that would have eliminated funding for ARC. Rep. Chabot (OH-1) introduced an amendment to the 2014 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2609) that failed by a 147-198 vote.

The Appalachian Regional Commission is an independent agency founded in 1965. Dedicated to closing the economic gap between Appalachia and the rest of the nation, ARC is a federal-state partnership providing economic development resources, including infrastructure investment, technology support, health care, and education and job training.

Following the ARC announcement in McHenry, Delaney will tour the Luke Paper Mill. 

##