News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
New public Wi-Fi installed in McMinnville’s downtown area.
Community Planner Katie Kemezis said that it’s an amenity the town hopes will both attract more visitors to downtown, as well as service those in the community who need it.
“So we also learned along the way that almost 30 percent of Warren Countians,” said Kemezis. “And another 10 percent only get it through their phones. So we realized there was a real need in our community for a free easy access.”
Access is available in public areas along Main Street, from Chancery Street to Sparta Street, and also at the Farmers Market. Kemezis said the total cost for the work came out to some $78,000, with a $31,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
She said that she hopes this new amenity is something that will set downtown McMinnville apart as a place to visit and enjoy the community.
“It’s another thing to promote about our community that we have this access,” Kemezis. “But also that we value people being connected. At a time when people need internet to apply for jobs or to do homework or to even stay up-to-date on breaking news throughout our community and nationally. It is a great service to have for our citizens and our visitors and it will certainly move us forward.”
Kemezis said she is also looking forward to the new opportunities for marketing potential for McMinnville. She said that the Wi-Fi access could lead to more social media campaigns or other tools to bring in more tourism.
She said the work was done through a partnership with eight downtown businesses who were willing to contribute their buildings and use of their energy to provide the service for the community. Kemezis said that over the course of several months, antennae have been attached to the business to create a blanket of coverage for the downtown area.
