Kenrick Gordon named director of Maryland Office of Rural Broadband

An office created to oversee expansion of internet access in the state has a director.
Gov. Larry Hogan appointed Kenrick Gordon to head up the Office of Rural Broadband, which was created last year.
Gordon, who formerly worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service Telecommunications Program as general field representative, will oversee efforts to create a plan to provide statewide access to high-speed internet, according to the governor’s office.
In the time since the office was formed, the state launched a pilot program in Garrett County, which is in the westernmost reaches of the state. Through a partnership with Maryland Public Television, the county was granted access to state-owned fiber assets in the area.
In April, Garrett County reached a three-year agreement with Microsoft Corp. and Declaration Networks Group, Inc., which operates NeuBeam, to prove internet. In announcing the deal, the governor’s office said it would expand access for 30,000 homes and businesses.
In Baltimore city, City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young recently called for a hearing to address broadband access and explore a city-run program.