HP Chromebook Grant

Originally Published: May 4, 2023

The Commissioners approved the acceptance of a grant award from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Office of Statewide Broadband on April 4th. The total grant amount approved by Governor Wes Moore was $921,375, with $894,375 for the purchase of 4,500 HP Chromebooks for distribution to eligible households in the county. The remaining $27,000 in grant funds are allocated to help with advertising and services needed to give out the computers.

Bob Kelly, Director of the IT Department, told the Commissioners the goal is to have the computers distributed over the summer, prior to the next school year. Kelly said the distribution sites will likely be at the county libraries and may require proof of address to retrieve a computer.

The IT Department is partnering with the following organizations to determine those who in the community who may be eligible: St. Mary’s County Public Schools, St. Mary’s County Department of Aging and Human Services, SMC Dept of Recreation and Parks, Sheriff’s Office, Housing Authority, St. Mary’s County Library, and the NAACP 7025.