Cookeville, Twin Lakes Near Agreement On Downtown WiFi

Cookeville could enter into an agreement with Twin Lakes this week to provide free WiFi to downtown visitors.

City Economic Development Coordinator Melinda Keifer said the service would be added on to the city’s current telecommunications contract.

“What this will do is establish our WiFi on a separate internet connection so it doesn’t mix with the city’s internet connections, so that’s what the amendment to the original contract is doing,” Keifer said. “It’s our managed fiber contract, so it’s kind of the first step.”

Cookeville was selected earlier this year to receive funding for the downtown WiFi through the Appalachian Regional Commission Grant.

The total cost estimate for the project was approximately $52,000 with the grant covering $26,000.

Keifer said visitors to Cookeville’s downtown area should have access to WiFi by the end of 2019.

“The grant has a time limit. We have to have everything done by Dec. 31, so that’s our goal,” Keifer said. We’ll also have a big media campaign to let everybody know. We’re trying to look at some promotional items and work with CityScape to advertise that downtown WiFi will be available to the patrons.”

Cookeville City Council members will consider approving the contract amendment when they next meet Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m.