Free wireless internet will be available to the public on Lincoln Square in Downtown Gettysburg, starting May 1 as part of a pilot project aimed at improving internet connectivity in Adams County, Pa.
Through a partnership among Adams County, Destination Gettysburg and four local businesses, this trial service will be available throughout May 2015, and if deemed a success, could become a permanent service for residents and visitors alike. The system will function similarly to that of wireless internet service commonly used in homes and businesses, but extend throughout Lincoln Square – Gettysburg’s downtown hub.
Residents and visitors may use the service to check email, use social media channels as well as the internet and other apps – allowing consumers to better connect with each other as well as the businesses located in Lincoln Square, measuring four blocks.
The pilot project was recommended and reviewed by Adams County Connected, a county-sponsored broadband board dedicated to improving internet access for local residents, businesses and visitors.
“It is the hope that this project will lay the groundwork for future public-private partnerships, which will bring improved public internet access to many parts of Adams County,” said Marty Karsteter Qually, an Adams County Commissioner.
Wireless networks may be a cost-effective approach to increasing internet connections opportunities for under-served areas of Adams County, added Qually. Adams County Connected, he said, sees this as a pilot project as potentially invigorating many urban and rural communities by adding a service that is becoming more and more expected in today’s digital world.
The Gettysburg Hotel, Blue and Gray Bar & Grill, T&S Men’s Wear, and Café on the Square each offered to partner with Adams County Connected to help this project succeed by placing a wireless transmitter on their respective buildings and providing the electricity to those devices. Each business has agreed to share in this cost if the project should succeed and be permanent.
In recent years, Destination Gettysburg – the official destination marketing organization for Adams County – has seen a dramatic increase in visitors’ use of technology during their travels to the region. Communities that lack sufficient public Wi-Fi internet are at a disadvantage and risk losing tourism money to more technologically savvy attractions and destinations. If the May pilot project succeeds, Destination Gettysburg has agreed to purchase the equipment necessary to continue the project.
“These are the types of projects that our visitors expect when they travel,” said Norris Flowers, President of Destination Gettysburg. “Providing free Wi-Fi will encourage our visitors to do explore more on their mobile devices when they are here in Adams County. And this project will help not only the destination as a whole, but the individual businesses themselves as visitors better connect with nearby stores, restaurants, attractions and accommodations.”
Adams County staff will monitor the wireless internet and work with Destination Gettysburg to analyze the data, in order to determine whether to continue the free services.
