City, town get funds for more wifi hotspots

Norton and Big Stone Gap are among the additional communities that will get funding for wifi hotspots, United Way of Southwest Virginia announced recently.

Each will get $1,500 to help pay for wifi installation.

A total of 30 wifi hotspots have been approved for funding by United Way in partnership with the Lenowisco and Mount Rogers planning district commissions.

“Due to the challenges presented by the pandemic, almost all school systems in our region are operating virtually this year,” said Mike Quillen, co-chair of the local United Way organization’s COVID-19 advisory council. “This makes the need for reliable internet access absolutely necessary.”

The grant funding will allow recipients to install wifi hotspots in a publicly accessible location in their community, making it easier for students and families in the region to access reliable internet service for free.

“Over the last six months, life has changed from what we were accustomed to,” Lenowisco Executive Director Duane Miller said. “This is particularly true for our school systems. With students attending school on both a virtual and hybrid schedule in the city of Norton and Wise County, the need for reliable internet access is critical.”

For more information about the United Way of Southwest Virginia COVID-19 Relief Fund, please visit: https://unitedwayswva.org/covid19/.