Councilmember Riemer Ignores County Executive’s Recommendation
to Table ZTA 22-01

Key Points From County Executive Marc Elrich’s Letter:

1. NO federal obligation to pass this ZTA
2. NO need
3. Prudent to wait for FCC reply to Appeals Court ruling on “arbitrary and capricious” RF rules
4. Won’t help address digital divide.

Montgomery County digital equity efforts include:

• 12,294 County households have enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) – as of JUNE 2022
• Residents enrolled in other benefit programs are eligible to receive $45 off their home or mobile broadband bill through ACP.
• Montgomery Connects, the County’s digital equity program, launched an initiative to provide in-person ACP enrollment assistance and has helped more than 428 families enroll in this program. –– JULY 2022
• 200 families are receiving free home broadband through the MoCoNet 100 Mbps residential broadband program.
• Senior Planet Montgomery provided technology training for more than 5,000 participants aged 50 and above. –– FY22
• Montgomery Connects has provided more than 26,000 loaner computers to low-income residents who do not have computers.
• The Office of Broadband programs is working with Comcast and Verizon to submit Maryland rural broadband grants to get broadband service to the remaining 75 occupied unserved rural properties in the County.