For Immediate Release
Media Contacts: Wayne Harris, ECPCEDC (252) 338-0169;
[email protected] or Elizabeth Evans, (757) 705-7153
[email protected]
Elizabeth City to Launch Free Downtown Wi-Fi Hotspot,
June 18 with a Kick-off Party at Mariners’ Wharf
(Elizabeth City, NC, June 2, 2014) -- Downtown Elizabeth City will give new meaning to the term
“launch pad,” when it presses the button on a 20-block area, Wi-Fi hotspot, June 18 at 10 a.m.
with a kick-off party at Mariners’ Wharf Park. The public is invited to BYOD—bring your own
device—and check out the new EC-Net for themselves.
“Not many cities our size offer free Wi-Fi that covers such an extensive area, so EC-Net
really puts Elizabeth City on the map,” said Wayne Harris, director of the Elizabeth City |
Pasquotank County Economic Development Commission (ECPCEDC), which spearheaded the
project. “It’s a fresh and valued amenity for our downtown businesses, patrons and visitors.”
The hotspot will be transmitted in a 20-block area from Water to Road streets, and from
Ehringhaus to Elizabeth streets. Work on the installation began in March by the Hertford-based
broadband communications company InteliPort, which installed the system at cost and will
maintain it at no charge. Funding for the remainder of the $16,000 project was underwritten by
Vector CSP; the Wells Fargo Foundation; Twiford EC Main, LLC; and Elizabeth City Downtown
Inc., with funding from an ElectriCities' Smart Communities grant facilitated by the City of
Elizabeth City.
The buzz on the street is that the free wireless local area network will further enhance
the charm of Elizabeth City's downtown.
“With consumers’ growing use of mobile devices and local search engines to find local
business information, this is a very timely and beneficial addition to our downtown economy,”
said Rebecca Cross, director of Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc. “We hope the new Wi-Fi will not
only attract new businesses to downtown, but also make it easier to find information about our
existing businesses. This will also draw visitors into downtown which contributes nicely to our
goal of making Elizabeth City Downtown a community gathering place.”
Harris encourages residents to bring their pads, pods, phones or tablets to the launch
party and give the new Wi-Fi a whirl. The rain date is June 19. The ECPCEDC has forthcoming
plans to spread the word about Elizabeth City’s hotspot and its affordable gigabit access via
social media campaigns aimed at millennial entrepreneurs looking to open or relocate a
business.
“Free and fast Wi-Fi and affordable gigabit connectivity are good selling points for
prospective young, tech-oriented business owners,” said Harris. “They expect it, and they want
it with urban amenities. Now, downtown Elizabeth City has both.”
# # #
The Elizabeth City | Pasquotank County Economic Development Commission
The Elizabeth City | Pasquotank County EDC markets business opportunities in the City of
Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County to prospective employers throughout the United States.
It’s location in the center of northeastern North Carolina makes the area ideally suited for
business
development,
expansion
and
relocation.
For
information
www.elizabethcitypasquotankEDC.com or call 1-888-338-1678 or (252) 338-0169.
go
to