CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – New public Wi-Fi expansions are coming to RichEllen Park, Woodlawn Park and Downtown Commons, thanks to a grant from the Broadband Ready Communities Grant Program.
Montgomery County received a $100,000 grant, with no local match required, to expand public Wi-Fi access and support digital literacy programs for underserved residents, according to a county news release. Of the total grant, $50,000 was dedicated to installing and expanding public Wi-Fi at county parks, with service focused on parking lots and hard-surface areas. This ensures residents, especially those underserved or without reliable home internet, can easily connect from their vehicles or nearby gathering spaces and have convenient options for online services like completing schoolwork and accessing healthcare.
The remaining $50,000 is dedicated to supporting digital literacy initiatives through the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library with programs designed to help residents – especially those with limited technology experience – develop practical skills, build confidence using online resources, and gain access to education, employment, healthcare, and other essential services, the release said.
| NEW TO CLARKSVILLE? Check out our Newcomer’s Guide
“Expanding public Wi-Fi and digital literacy offerings for our underserved residents is a big step forward in making sure folks right here in Montgomery County have access to the digital tools they need. These options make it easier for them to stay connected to online services and provide the support they need through our Public Library,” Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said in the release.
“For many of the families I represent, reliable internet and digital skills seem to be a luxury,” said Rashidah Leverett, Montgomery County commissioner, District 5. “This investment will serve as a lifeline for them. Our elderly and immobile constituents can access healthcare video calls, students from kindergarten to post-secondary can complete schoolwork, and job seekers can apply for opportunities that require online applications without being left behind. I’m proud to see resources going directly to the communities that need them most, because true progress means everyone in Montgomery County gets equal access to live better.”
For more information about Montgomery County Information Technology, visit: montgomerytn.gov/it.
For more information about the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, visit: montgomerytn.gov/publiclibrary.
| GET YOUR MORNING NEWS: Sign up for the free daily Clarksville Now email newsletter