On Friday, September 12th, 2008, affordable broadband Internet service finally became a reality in Elk River, Idaho (Pop. 156).
Thanks to a USDA Rural Development Community Connect Grant, the leadership of Elk River Free Library Director Margaret Patterson, and the engineering expertise of Missoula-based Access Consulting, the community’s residents and visitors now have wireless broadband service throughout the community.
The grant of just under $170,000 was awarded in late 2006 and included the addition of a community computer center at the Library, a 40 mile wireless backhaul provided by First Step Internet of Moscow, ID, and a 16-node redundant wireless mesh network designed and installed by Access Consulting.
The service is free to public agencies and library patrons and available for low cost subscription to private users. Prior to the installation of this service, Elk River residents’ only options for internet service were slow dial-up or expensive satellite connections.
If you community would like to explore opportunities for broadband access, please contact Paul DeWolfe at Access Consulting http://www.access-consulting.net/ 406/327-0629
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"Local rural leaders need to push for broadband capacity and the hottest classroom technology available to build demand. Unfortunately, many communities resist change, even as it swamps them. This is bad news. The message is clear: Adapt or wither." http://www.matr.net/article-30804.html