Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Office of Statewide Broadband to Absorb Maryland Digital Equity Coalition
NEW CARROLLTON, Md. (February 24, 2026) – The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today announced that the Maryland Digital Equity Coalition will transition into the Office of Statewide Broadband as a strategic step to align the Coalition with Maryland’s long-term broadband and digital equity goals.
“Over the last three years, the Maryland Digital Equity Coalition has served as a great ally to the Office of Statewide Broadband to coordinate and support digital equity work across Maryland,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “This move only strengthens our work to connect every Marylander to high-speed internet and identify resources so all residents have equal access to work, wages and wealth.”
The Maryland Digital Equity Coalition (MDEC) is a statewide partnership network composed of a diverse group of stakeholders, including state and local government agencies, public libraries, healthcare providers, senior centers, schools, non-profits, and community leaders. The MDEC network was founded in October 2023 through the University of Maryland Extension to serve as a statewide coalition and resource hub to accelerate digital equity work across all Maryland counties.
Since its launch, MDEC has grown to approximately 350 members and is guided by a Core Working Group that has steered the coalition’s work since its inception. The MDEC Steering Committee has led statewide convening and capacity-building efforts for digital equity practitioners. MDEC organizes an annual in-person Digital Equity Summit, providing a forum for collaboration and shared learning. In addition to the summit, MDEC offers seminars, training, and networking opportunities that support digital equity practitioners and strengthen connections across the field.
“The Maryland Digital Equity Coalition is a critical asset to the work we do at the Office of Statewide Broadband,” said Ronnie Hammond, Director of the Office of Statewide Broadband. “We are grateful for the knowledge and passion of MDEC members and are excited for what it means for digital equity in Maryland.”
Today, MDEC, under the Office of Statewide Broadband, operates as a statewide resource hub and collaborative network, supporting organizations working to expand broadband access, device availability, and digital skills training.
“The Maryland Digital Equity Coalition was launched through University of Maryland Extension to serve as a statewide convening backbone, leveraging our presence in every jurisdiction to accelerate digital equity efforts,” said Isaias Tesfalidet, Project Director, Marylanders Online, University of Maryland Extension. “We are proud to see this work transition to the Office of Statewide Broadband, where it will benefit from sustained institutional support and continue advancing digital opportunities for every Marylander.”
The Office of Statewide Broadband partners with the private sector and local jurisdictions to connect communities underserved by the current internet infrastructure. In Fiscal Year 2025, OSB completed 80 projects and connected 71,498 households, including 200 homes and businesses on Smith Island, a remote Somerset County community located on the Chesapeake Bay.
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CONTACT:
Allison Foster, Director of Communications – allison.foster@maryland.gov
