Imagine a state smartly bridging the digital gap while slashing costs by millions – all through a brilliantly balanced 'just right' strategy that's already sparking buzz. Maryland is doing just that with its innovative approach to broadband expansion, and it's a story worth diving into. But here's where it gets controversial: What if this local tactic exposes flaws in federal efforts? Stick around to see how Maryland's Digital Infrastructure Group (DIG) is redefining smart investments, potentially challenging the status quo on a national level.
Maryland's DIG, as detailed on StateScoop (https://statescoop.com/maryland-new-broadband-group-unify-deployment-2025/), hasn't even held its inaugural meeting, yet its collaborative efforts among state and local entities have already pocketed the state substantial savings. Much of this success stems from what a key official describes as the 'Goldilocks approach' – a method that perfectly balances investments to avoid extremes, neither too little nor too much, in targeting broadband infrastructure needs.
Established via an executive order (https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-signs-three-executive-orders-to-increase-economic-development-and-modernize-state-government.aspx) from Governor Wes Moore in January, DIG is headed by Eric Bathras, Maryland's chief technology officer for infrastructure. Bathras shared with StateScoop that the group's debut meeting is set for November 13, but in the preceding months, he's partnered with public and nonprofit organizations to secure a $250,000 grant for a state-owned broadband cooperative. This funding will enable the construction of 26 miles of fiber optic cable in western Maryland, translating to nearly $4 million in savings for the state. And this is the part most people miss: It's a prime example of DIG's mission to leverage public-private collaborations and shared resource deals to boost internet connectivity everywhere.
The Maryland Broadband Cooperative, formed through state law around 2006, boasts 79 members as of last year (https://mdbc.us/history/), ranging from internet providers and government offices to healthcare facilities, emergency services, and universities. They manage a middle-mile fiber network – think of it as the connective 'highway' between major hubs and local areas, stretching approximately 2,500 miles – which multiple providers and state organizations share. This latest addition is poised to help nearly all members by reducing expenses, offering redundancy, and opening doors to previously hard-to-reach zones.
'[These 26 extra miles] will give us backup options and a new path for our shared fiber in the west,' Bathras explained. 'We've been bottlenecked there for ages, relying on outdated Lumen fiber from the late 90s or early 2000s.' For context, fiber optic cables typically last 25-30 years before needing upgrades due to wear or technological advancements. 'Plus, it will support community anchor institutions, like schools and libraries that serve as vital hubs, and help cooperative members inch closer to underserved communities. We'll also address transportation requirements for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and move nearer to essential vertical assets, such as tall structures for wireless or utility poles.'
Bathras sees this initiative as the epitome of the 'Goldilocks approach,' a tactic for broadband growth that juggles several priorities at once, squeezing maximum value from each dollar by benefiting diverse sectors. To nail this strategy, he emphasizes four essential pillars: transportation (ensuring roads and mobility are integrated), vertical assets (like towers or poles that enable better signals), community anchor institutions (key buildings that need reliable connections), and general community needs (homes and businesses craving faster internet).
He argues this method outperforms narrower federal initiatives, such as the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program (https://statescoop.com/tag/broadband-equity-access-and-deployment-bead/), which zeros in on linking residences and commercial sites but often neglects other infrastructure gaps. For instance, funding a project that enhances wireless towers or utility poles can simultaneously aid emergency radio networks and public safety – a holistic win that isolated programs might overlook. And this is where the controversy heats up: Bathras wishes the federal government would adopt this balanced mindset in their investments. 'This Goldilocks strategy uses a single public fund to meet the widest array of demands,' he noted. 'It's something I'd love to see the feds emulate.' Is this a fair critique, or does it unfairly downplay federal programs' efforts to close the digital divide? What do you think – should national policies prioritize this multi-sector focus over targeted home connections?
Per Governor Moore's January directive, DIG is also rolling out 'Single View,' a unified digital tool crafted by Maryland's infrastructure team to merge data from various state agencies. Currently, at least 10 agencies are onboard, using this platform as a dashboard to monitor physical and IT resources, spot chances for infrastructure swaps, and track shared agreements, ownership, and usage stats.
'We're truly excited about it,' Bathras said. 'It required effort, including tweaking our shared agreement with the Maryland Broadband Cooperative, but look at the payoff: A $250,000 grant that typically costs around $4 million for the state or any group to implement. That's DIG in action – fostering centralized talks, aligning plans, spotting shortages and common goals, and finally executing broadband growth.'
In wrapping up, Maryland's DIG is proving that coordinated, multi-purpose broadband strategies can yield big savings and broader benefits, potentially setting a model for others. But is this approach really superior, or could it complicate funding in ways we haven't considered? Share your thoughts in the comments – do you agree with Bathras that federal programs should follow suit, or disagree? Let's discuss!
