Maryland Broadband Cooperative, the nonprofit organization facilitating Amazon’s transatlantic cable landing near Ocean City, has received approximately $54 million in publicly funded construction support, according to its leadership and recent audits. Established in 2006 to develop the “middle mile” infrastructure connecting local internet providers and public institutions to broader networks, the cooperative’s activities have broadened to include cellular backhaul, 911 systems, and institutional connectivity.
As of 2024, Maryland Broadband operates a fiber network spanning roughly 2,500 miles with 33 connection points and 79 members. In 2021, the cooperative was engaged in $27.2 million worth of construction projects, including a nearly $25 million fiber crossing under the Chesapeake Bay. While recent tax filings indicate just over $275,000 in government grants as annual revenue, capital investments from public sources totaling nearly $49 million were recorded as assets rather than yearly income, reflecting the cooperative’s substantial public financing. President and CEO Drew Van Dopp estimated total publicly funded construction support at about $54 million, though a detailed breakdown was not provided.
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) confirmed its contributions have enabled the cooperative to lay over 100 miles of fiber, extending broadband service to about 1,748 homes, 59 businesses, four schools, and eight communications towers. Maryland Broadband retains ownership and operational responsibility for this infrastructure under grant agreements.
In September 2025, state officials reported that Maryland’s Office of Statewide Broadband had invested more than $270 million in various infrastructure projects and programs across the state, underscoring the strategic importance of expanding broadband access.
Amazon, a member and customer of Maryland Broadband, is partnering with the cooperative on a proposed land-based facility to support Fastnet, Amazon Web Services’ undersea cable connecting the U.S. and Ireland. The plan involves constructing a small power feed building near Ocean City Municipal Airport to supply the cable and transmit signals inland. Van Dopp projected the project would drive an additional $40 million investment into the Eastern Shore network, significantly increasing the capacity along the Ocean City-to-Cambridge fiber corridor from 96 strands to 960. Of the new strands, 864 would be accessible to cooperative members, potentially enhancing reliability and competition. However, Van Dopp did not commit to specific reductions in household internet costs or direct retail service benefits.
Addressing local concerns about potential future expansions such as more cables or data centers, Van Dopp emphasized that the current proposal is confined to a single power building dedicated to the Fastnet cable, with any subsequent projects subject to separate public reviews. He also noted that a lack of local support posed a greater risk to the area’s broadband development than Amazon’s potential withdrawal.
Financial records show Maryland Broadband incurred losses of $422,106 in fiscal year 2024 and $832,835 in fiscal year 2025, alongside an increase in secured debt from about $1 million to nearly $4.9 million during the same period.
Among policymakers, Senator Chris Van Hollen called for an environmental review of the Fastnet project and urged assurances of affordable broadband services, although Fastnet itself will not offer retail internet directly. Representative Andy Harris expressed his intent to pursue a collaborative resolution.
The DHCD clarified that it does not participate in the partnership between Maryland Broadband and Amazon regarding the Fastnet project.