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$18.6M Project Provides High-Tech Connection For Baltimore County Schools

WOODLAWN, Md. (WJZ)—Baltimore County schools are going high-tech.

Jessica Kartalija explains an upgraded tech system is expected to save schools millions of dollars down the road.

At Woodlawn High School, students starting fall semester will see a big difference when they log onto their computers.

"We put 160 miles of this in the ground, and this is the actual fiber conduit that we put inside of the pipe," explained Rob Stradling, Baltimore County Information Technology director.

It's called the One Maryland Inter-County Broadband Network.

It will provide every county with high-tech infrastructure that will enhance public safety, improve education, strengthen commerce and improve health care.

"This is a $18.6 million project funded primarily through a $14 million grant," said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.

Woodlawn students will be among the first to use the new technology.

"In order to create globally competitive graduates, we have to make sure there's a digital learning environment in every single school in every single student, in every single community," said Baltimore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Dallas Dance.

In a statement to WJZ, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman said:

"This project will help our students learn better, will make us safer and improve our health by connecting us and making applications and new technology available. As construction nears completion, I'm glad to see Baltimore County and other jurisdictions embracing it."

The grant came from a presidential stimulus package.  Baltimore County matched it with $4 million in county funding.

Nine counties make-up the Inter-County Broadband Network.

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