As part of the State’s Economic Recovery Plan MAPC has been awarded a grant by the Mass Broadband Institute to deploy WiFi equipment in Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Malden, and Quincy.
The goal of these deployments is to provide broader internet access in communities that face barriers to connectivity. Through enhanced WiFi availability, we hope that more individuals, families, and small businesses will have sustainable internet access for daily use.
MAPC is seeking innovative project ideas from the community as to where these kinds of installations are most of need!
Do you have a good location for WiFi in mind?
Learn more about Digital Access Planning
Questions?
Contact Josh Eichen, Senior Economic Development Planner
About this Work
Since the beginning of the pandemic, MAPC has worked ceaselessly to support the 101 cities and towns in the region to adapt to the constantly shifting landscape of COVID-19 response.
Early in 2020, MAPC identified the need to address the Digital Divide in the region, and has since prioritized the issue as a critical component of the organization’s Equitable Economic Recovery Platform.
Over the last year, MAPC has built a Digital Divide Team with the necessary capacity and expertise to support municipalities, businesses, internet service providers, and non-profits to work together to ensure fast, affordable, and reliable internet access for all residents of the region.
The Gateway City WiFi program presents an incredible opportunity to bridge some of the most challenging gaps related to internet access by providing emergency interventions and laying the groundwork for future investment from municipalities, the state, or the federal government. We are especially focused on helping our Gateway Cities to make good use of funds newly emerged as part of the American Rescue Plan, a portion of which can be used to advance broadband access.