Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Image by Ryan McGill
On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, representatives of the City of Jasper and Alabama Power flipped the switch on Connected Jasper, officially launching free public Wi-Fi in Jasper.
During a regular meeting last May, the Jasper City Council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor David O’Mary to enter into an agreement with Alabama Power Company and Tengo Internet for the implementation of the project.
This initiative provides free and widespread public Wi-Fi to the city, with access points in the downtown entertainment district, Memorial Park, Jasper Public Library, Memorial Park Elementary School, Maddox Intermediate School, the city-owned ballpark, and five local housing authority properties.
“Connected Jasper offers our residents the opportunity to have internet access for school, work, job searches, and so much more,” says Marla Tucker-Corbell, Executive Director of the Jasper Housing Authority. “Having that access will reduce some financial burden on our residents, and hopefully improve their overall quality of life.”
Connected Jasper is funded through a $1.6 million grant from the Department of the Interior and the Alabama Department of Labor through the Abandoned Mine Lands Program. The grant, secured by Alabama Power, covers the installation of the network, and does not require the City of Jasper to make any capital outlay. However, as per the approved agreement, the city will be responsible for the payment of electricity and service costs related to the project. The network is designed to accommodate up to 500 devices simultaneously. WL
