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| Anticipated coverage area shaded in red |
WATERVILLE, ME, March 28 – By March 1 of this year, Downtown Waterville Wi-Fi had served over 124,000 users in just seven months.
“As the usage data illustrates, public wi-fi is increasingly becoming a necessity for patrons of downtown districts,” explains Garvan D. Donegan, director of planning and economic development for Central Maine Growth Council, which manages the wi-fi service. “The opportunity to stay connected to the internet encourages visitors to extend their stay in downtown, exploring the shops, restaurants, and recreational venues, boosting commerce and tourism.”
The free public wi-fi service, established through an initial investment by Colby College and continually supported by Kennebec Savings Bank, MaineGeneral Health, Northern Light Inland Hospital, and Thomas College’s Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation, makes Waterville’s downtown one of the most connected in Maine.
Wi-fi coverage is available outdoors and extends north-south from Post Office Square to Hathaway Creative Center, east-west from Head of Falls to the Concourse, allowing visitors and residents to stay connected while recreating along RiverWalk, enjoying a musical performance, browsing or vending at Downtown Waterville Farmers’ Market.
The launch of Downtown Waterville Wi-Fi in August of 2018 coincided with several technology-related developments in the downtown district. CGI, a global information technology and consulting firm, moved into its new office space at 173 Main Street, GenoTyping Center of America opened a biotechnology laboratory in Hathaway Creative Center, and Bricks CoWorking and Innovation Space launched its coworking space in Hathaway Creative Center, becoming the home of Central Maine Tech Night.
“The city of Waterville is emerging as a technology hub, and Downtown Waterville Wi-Fi further positions the city for future growth,” states Donegan.
Downtown Waterville Wi-Fi partners work with Axiom, a company focused on delivering broadband to rural communities, and FirstLight, a leading provider of Internet in the Northeast.
Central Maine Growth Council
CMGC is the leading public/private catalyst and resource for economic development in Central Maine. The growth council is dedicated to fostering a robust regional economy through successful collaborative partnerships among businesses, governments, academic institutions, health care facilities, arts and cultural agencies, and residents primarily in the communities of Waterville, Winslow, Fairfield, and Oakland. The benefit is a highly desirable place in which to enjoy an outstanding work-life balance.
