Dozens of local officials are betting fiber-optic broadband could level the playing field for economic development on the Eastern Shore. Kent County officials were briefed last week by members of the Maryland Broadband Initiative at about the same time the group was announcing a new timetable for the main fiber cable to be laid. It appears cable work will be completed in January, but the ‘last mile’ is up to private local providers. Once everything is completed, school systems and businesses alike have agreed to use the connectivity.