Wi-Fi'ed East End Means More Foot Traffic, Residents, Businesses for East End.

The East End Main Street announcement that an RFP is being issued for Wi-Fi service for the East End of Charleston is a testament to the progressive and innovative model of economic and community development that the Charleston Area Alliance is utilizing. It's no wonder that Charleston was recently named in a national magazine as the 8th best small metro for attracting new business.

So what does this mean? Well how about once the greenspace is complete near the Clay Center, putting your feet up there and being able to surf the web or check e-mail? What if you are at the Power Baseball Park and want to get a little work done while taking in a game? Live on the east end and like to go out on your porch or deck to work or surf the web? Done. All of these possibilities will be available once this project is complete.

The Charleston Area Alliance and its East End Main Street program are clearly providing a return on investment for its members. In short, the Alliance is building a better community and a more vibrant economy.

Picture: Matthew Ballard, President/CEO of the Charleston Area Alliance introduces the wi-fi topic to members of the press and public. Governor Manchin, Mayor Jones, and Councilman Marc Wientraub joined the Alliance and East End Main Street in making the announcement at Contemporary Galleries on Smith Street in downtown Charleston.

East End Main Street Announces Plan for Technology Enhancement for the East End

Free Wi-Fi Service for East End neighborhood

Governor Joe Manchin and Charleston Mayor Danny Jones, unveil the East End Main Street Wireless Internet logos that will be displayed in merchant windows as a result of the Wi-Fi project.

Charleston, W.Va. – Representatives from East End Main Street (EEMS) announced today their plans to provide the entire East End neighborhood with free Wi-Fi service for the next three years. Today, EEMS sent out their request for proposal (RFP) to vendors for submission of bids and plans for this project.

The implementation of this project would offer free wireless internet service to approximately 12,000 residents, more than 200 businesses, and visitors to the East End area. The coverage area will include the 35th Street Bridge to the east, Leon Sullivan Way to the west, the Kanawha Boulevard to the south and Piedmont Road to the north; totaling an area just short of one square mile. This is believed to be the largest planned, free Wi-Fi zone in the state of West Virginia.

East End Councilman Marc Weintraub says “Wi-Fi will be an amazing thing for our neighborhood. The residents and visitors will be able to use this service and more importantly, this will open new doors of possibility for our small businesses. Imagine how much easier it will be for our retailers to sell on-line or attract customers to our restaurants who may also want to work while they dine.”

“This project will benefit the state immensely,” said Governor Joe Manchin III. “Bringing Wi-Fi to the East End neighborhood creates more opportunities for businesses and residents. These progressive volunteers from East End Main Street are working hard on revitalizing the East End neighborhood, and this will be a great tool to further their work and the state’s technology plans. My pledge is for West Virginia to be open for business and to do that we need strong neighborhoods and accessible technology. This project provides both.”

EEMS has received a LEDA (Local Economic Development Assistance) Grant for this project from the West Virginia Development Office. Intent to bid must be made no later than the end of day on July 20, 2007, and proposals must be received by 1:00 p.m. EST on August 10, 2007. Selection notification will be made by 5:00 p.m. EST on August 24, 2007. Copies of the RFP and instructions can be found at www.EastEndMainStreet.com.

About East End Main Street:

East End Main Street is a volunteer driven organization hosted by the Charleston Area Alliance that is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the East End neighborhood. The organization believes that thriving businesses make vibrant neighborhoods. Their previous endeavors include the East End Public Art Mural, the Façade Assistance Grant Program, and on-going safety and small business workshops. For more information about East End Main Street, visit http://www.eastendmainstreet.com/.