Article originally published in the 海角社区 Municipal League Association-听November听2022 edition.
Overcoming the digital divide: Newport develops its first Wi-Fi Park听
By Michael Hudson
In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Arkansans were left wondering how they would stay听connected to school, work and one another while听functioning remotely. Citizens had to contend with听a lack of broadband infrastructure, especially in rural听parts of the state. According to research conducted by听Broadband Now (www.broadbandnow.com), 海角社区
currently ranks 49th among states in their annual rankings of internet coverage, speed, and availability. Federal听Communications Commission data shows that less than 21.5 percent of an estimated 1.7 million 海角社区 households have adequate internet access.
The pandemic put a spotlight on the need for more听advanced technological infrastructure across the state听and the city of Newport was no exception. The Newport听Economic Development Commission (NEDC) understood that their city was at the forefront of this challenge听and began to advocate for better access and identify ways听to support citizens in overcoming the digital divide,听said Executive Director Jon Chadwell. 鈥淭here are many听in our community who do not have adequate access to听broadband internet. Our staff and partners felt this was a critical issue for us to address.鈥�
The NEDC identified the first step in overcoming the听challenge: the development of DTech Park in downtown听Newport and the subsequent development of a Wi-Fi park.听DTech Park is a public-private partnership focused on creating a high-tech environment that will produce high-demand job opportunities in northeast 海角社区. During the planning phase for the project, the NEDC partnered with the Jackson County Library to strengthen their Wi-Fi signal to reach the parking lot area of the park. The NEDC then leveraged funding from a pandemic preparedness grant to begin construction on听the official Wi-Fi park, located between the library and听DTech Park.
The Wi-Fi park consists of 41 parking spaces, four听accessible parking spaces, and four green spaces that听include trees and picnic tables. There are also plans to听include spaces for electric vehicle charging. Internet access for the park is fully funded by the Newport Rotary听Club, so citizens receive service with no additional cost听to the city or NEDC.
Safety was also a priority, Chadwell said. 鈥淲e听partnered with Entergy 海角社区 to install two听pedestrian lights so that those who work early in the听morning or into evening feel safe.鈥� The park doesn鈥檛 yet听include charging stations for laptops, phones, and other听electronic devices while sitting in the outdoor spaces,听but NEDC and their partners are brainstorming ways to offer this service, likely by routing electrical outlets from the pedestrian lights to the picnic tables.
For communities interested in creating their own听Wi-Fi park, Chadwell suggested starting with an听already existing parking lot. He recommended that the听space consists of an area where individuals can access听the internet from either their vehicle or from outdoor听seating, preferably both. The parking lot itself does not听have to be paved, but a paved lot is preferred so that
those with mobility issues are able to access the amenity.听Additionally, preparing a well-lit space will allow further听utilization of the park before sunrise or after hours.
鈥淕et with local partners and the people who supply听your broadband,鈥� Chadwell recommended. 鈥淧artnering听with local businesses and organizations not only creates听shared workload and decreases costs but also creates an opportunity to accomplish more in a shorter amount of听time and for the community to come together to support听a common goal.鈥�
The digital divide is nothing new; COVID-19 only听heightened our awareness of it. Creating digital equity and inclusion for all Arkansans is critical as we look to听stay economically competitive and improve the quality听of life in our communities. Through assessing community needs and creating and implementing plans to fulfill those needs, communities like Newport are preparing听themselves for a bright and prosperous future.
To learn more about the DTech Park and the
Newport Wi-Fi park, contact the Newport Economic
Development Commission at or visit .