Michael Baldino

Michael Baldino was named Director and General Counsel of the Massachusetts Broadband
Institute (MBI) in January 2019. MBI serves as the central broadband office for the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
During his tenure at MBI, Michael has overseen state-funded Last Mile grants that have
expanded broadband connectivity in rural communities in Massachusetts. During the Covid-19
pandemic MBI supported community Wi-Fi hotspots and digital equity pilot projects. MBI also
established the Mass Internet Connect program that helped unemployed job seekers reenter
the workforce during the pandemic by providing access to affordable internet service, devices,
and digital literacy resources.
MBI currently administers more than $400 million in federal funding that has been allocated to
Massachusetts through ARPA and IIJA. Massachusetts is on track to achieve universal access to
reliable broadband service through broadband infrastructure grants under the Gap Networks
Grant Program and the BEAD Program. MBI has launched innovative digital opportunity
programs, including the Digital Equity Partnerships Program and the Municipal Digital Equity
Planning and Implementation Programs. MBI is also bridging the digital divide for residents of
public and affordable housing through the Residential Retrofit Program and the Apartment Wi-
Fi Initiative.
Michael came to MBI with a wealth of public sector policy experience. He served in the
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Legal Department for over 23 years, providing legal
advice and counsel to Mass Tech’s divisions, including MBI. Prior to joining MassTech, Michael
held staff positions in the New York State Assembly and the Massachusetts State Senate. 
Michael holds a B.A. in Psychology from the State University of New York at Albany and a J.D.
from Boston University School of Law.