The Center is helping create wireless hotspots for Internet access in several communities.
Apply to Create Wi-Fi Hotspots in Western Maine
The Center and Community Concepts Finance Corporation (CCFC) are offering free installation and maintenance of public access Wi-Fi hotspots in the Maine West region.
“The Pandemic shined a bright light on the lack of universal internet access across Maine, especially rural Maine,” said Mia Purcell, vice president of economic development and impact at Community Concepts.
Often located in downtown centers, public parks, libraries and schools, Wi-Fi Hotspots provide convenient free internet access for short periods of time. This service fills the gap for people who don’t otherwise have service, helping people save on cellular data, and generally making public spaces more appealing for young people and adults.
The Maine West Community Hotspot program will support Wi-Fi hotspots in up to 10 towns, schools, public libraries, or nonprofits in western Maine communities. If you’re interested in expanding public internet access in your community and fit these criteria, click on Maine West Wi-Fi Hotspot Application on Community Concept’s website.
Waterville, Millinocket, Machias, and Greenville, Maine, all have hotspots in their downtowns, creating greater customer satisfaction and more foot traffic. Rumford has a Wi-Fi hotspot at its information center. Since the Pandemic began, schools and public libraries are allowed to expand their E-Rate-supported Wi-Fi networks for general public use outside their buildings and one way to do that is by adding a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The Northern Border Regional Commission, USDA Rural Development, and the Maine Community Foundation are funding the program. Applicants should have a general location in mind that provides easy public access to their potential Wi-Fi service. Applicants can work out additional technical details as part of the program. To be eligible, applicants much be:
• Located in the Maine West region – towns in SAD44, SAD17, RSU10 and RSU56;
• Willing to provide internet service to the hotspot through direct funding or private sponsorships; and
• Able to provide proof of general liability insurance.