Baltimore City’s underserved neighborhoods will see increased and improved access to the internet, thanks to a $2 million grant through the Connect Baltimore Broadband Grant Program.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity awarded the $2 million grant to Waves, a Baltimore-based internet service provider. Waves is a project of the Digital Harbor Foundation dedicated to making sure every household in the city has access to broadband services, no matter their ability to pay.
“This grant program is more than just wires and signals—it’s about unlocking opportunity,” Scott said in a statement. “By partnering with Waves, we’re ensuring residents with the greatest need have a chance to learn, connect, and build a better future for themselves and their families.”
The Connect Baltimore Broadband Grant Program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It is overseen by the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs. It helps gap and community networks provide affordable and reliable internet to neighborhoods most impacted by the digital divide.
Waves has also received funds from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Office of Statewide Broadband, the West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation, and the France-Merrick Foundation.
“With this grant, we’re taking a huge step toward digital equity in Baltimore,” said Chrissie Powell, executive director of Waves, in a statement. “Reliable internet access is not a luxury—it’s essential for education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. Thanks to support from the Connect Baltimore Broadband Grant Program, we can connect thousands of households and empower them with the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital world.”
Waves will use the grant to launch a state-of-the-art, high-speed fiber-optic network across 12 low-income residential apartment buildings, providing internet access to nearly 3,000 households. Each household will receive a pre-configured router for secure and private networking. Those apartment buildings are:
- City Arts 1 Apartments
- City Arts 2 Apartments
- Coleman Manor Apartments
- Ednor Apartments 1
- Ednor Apartments 2
- Foxwell Memorial Apartments
- Govans Manor Apartments
- Lillian Jones Apartments
- Marshall Gardens
- Metro Heights at Mondawmin
- Restoration Gardens
- The Allendale
Waves will also use the grants to maintain continued connectivity for nine low-income properties already serviced by the organization. Those buildings are:
- Ahepa Senior Apartments
- Ashland Commons
- Bernard E. Mason Apartments
- Chase House Apartments
- Hollins House
- Johnston Square Apartments
- Paca House Apartments
- Park Heights Place
- Pratt House Apartments
“We’re proud to partner with Waves to expand internet access across Baltimore,” said Todd Carter, Chief Information Officer for the City of Baltimore, in a statement. “By focusing on bridging the internet affordability and connectivity gaps, families will no longer have to make life-altering decisions on whether to pay for basic needs or internet access.”
The Connect Baltimore Broadband Grant Program is a vital component of the City’s Digital Inclusion Strategy. It focuses on bringing broadband and internet to the neighborhoods that have been historically underserved by digital infrastructure advances. The goal is to offer sustainable, long-term connectivity so that residents have high-quality access to education, economic opportunity, and healthcare, regardless of income.
