In order to help towns develop in a digitally-based world, and to promote economic resiliency and flood recovery, the Digital Economy Project implemented Wi-Fi zones as well as individual hotspots in towns across the state. These zones cover downtown areas in towns, and allow free internet access to any townsperson passing through, or any tourist wanting more information. The hotspots allow internet access at specific locations such as community centers.
The Digital Economy Project will sponsored all of the equipment and installation time for the zone, and worked with members of the community to find a financial sponsor for the ongoing cost of the internet connection (which usually ranges from $80 to $100 a month.) The town is also be responsible for maintaining the zone, now that the zone is implemented. One designated member of each town uses the cloud-based software included with the equipment to monitor the zone.
Resources:
- Guide to Planning and Implementing a Wi-Fi zone for your Town
- Video of a Public Meeting from Woodstock explaining how the model works
- Scope of Work and Delineation of Responsibilities for the Installation of a Town Wi-Fi Zone through the Digital Economy Project (PDF)
- Wi-Fi Zone FAQ
- Vermont Digital Economy Project hand-off document for the end of the project
- Other helpful articles:
Public Wi-Fi Hotspots in Vermont
Visit this link, for a map to the public buildings in Vermont where Wi-Fi with access to the internet is publicly available (maintained by the Vermont Department of Public Service).
Towns Who Received Zones through the
Vermont Digital Economy Project:
- Barre
- Bennington
- Bethel
- Burke
- Cambridge
- Dover (one AP added to the zone)
- Fair Haven
- Johnson
- Middletown Springs
- Rochester
- Royalton
- St. Albans
- Waterbury
- Wilmington
- Windsor
Towns Who Received Hotspots through the
Vermont Digital Economy Project:
- Berlin (at the Capitol City Grange)
- Calais (at the Town Hall)
- Chester (near the Fullerton Inn)
- Halifax (at the Town Garage)
- Marlboro (at the Town Offices)
- Newfane (at the Newfane Market)
- Killington (at the Chamber of Commerce)
- Stockbridge (at the Town Offices)
- Plymouth (at the Old Schoolhouse)
- Waterville (at the Town Hall)
- Wolcott (at the Community Library)
Towns Who Received Zones through e-Vermont:
In the News:
- Downtown Wi-Fi kickoff will be celebrated during Midnight Madness
- Bennington gets new Wi-Fi service
- Bennington’s downtown now a Wi-Fi zone
- Wi-Fi and Broadband Spreading Through Vermont
- In the zone
- Halifax gets a wifi spot
- Wi-Fi in Downtown Windsor: Free Network Will Cover Center of Town
- Video ~ New Wi-Fi zones popping up in Vt.
- A Day for Economic Development