Queen Anne’s County has made significant progress over the past several years to expand access to reliable high-speed internet, bringing broadband service to approximately 1,900 homes that previously did not have access. These connections were made possible through a combination of federal, state, and local grant funding.
As this work enters its final phase, County officials are urging residents who are still unconnected to act now. Based on a review of grant-funded service areas and internet availability reported by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the County estimates that approximately 438 homes remain eligible for broadband service but are not yet connected.
Some grant programs remain open; however, funding to cover little or no-cost connections will not be available indefinitely. Residents are encouraged to confirm their eligibility and initiate service as soon as possible.
Residents can determine whether their home falls within a broadband grant area by using the County’s Long Driveway Grant application map. While not all residents will qualify for the Long Driveway Grant itself, the map will indicate:
- Whether your address is located in a broadband grant area
- Which Internet Service Provider is designated to connect your home
https://gis.qac.org/vertigisstudio/web/?app=82fd629c853144ddbd5c96a3e4d6a6fb
This step is critical for identifying the correct provider to contact for service.
Queen Anne’s County also offers a Long Driveway Grant for residents whose homes are located far from existing broadband infrastructure. Eligible applicants may receive:
- Up to 90% of construction costs covered
- Maximum grant award of $13,500
The County estimates that approximately 106 addresses may be eligible for this program.
Additional broadband resources and grant information are available through the Broadband Advisory Council webpage:
https://onboard.qac.org/board/4323
In addition, the State of Maryland has identified approximately 92 addresses in Queen Anne’s County through the BEAD Program (Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment). Under this program, Internet Service Providers are bidding to build broadband infrastructure to unserved homes.
According to the State, ISP awards are expected in early December, which could bring new service opportunities to additional residents.
Residents may also check which providers report service availability at their address by visiting the FCC National Broadband Map: https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/location-summary/fixed?version=jun2025&location_id=8b83af33-06d3-4e79-9921-7db0933cd1c0&addr1=13611+1ST+ST&addr2=QUEEN+ANNE%2C+MD+21657&zoom=15.00&vlon=-75.953315&vlat=38.920661&br=r&speed=100_20&tech=1_2_3_6_7
With an estimated 438 homes still unserved, the County encourages residents without internet access to use the tools and resources above to determine eligibility and contact the appropriate provider.
Residents who believe they may qualify for the Long Driveway Grant or who need assistance navigating broadband options should email:
[email protected]
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