Statesboro is one step closer to having wireless Internet throughout the city now that it has been awarded a grant from the Wireless Communities Georgia (WCG) program. Governor Sonny Perdue announced Wednesday that Statesboro was selected to receive $323,298 for a city wide WiMAX wireless network.
The WCG program is the brainchild of Perdue, introduced during the 1996 State of the State. The WCG program provides funding to local governments to build wireless networks in their communities in order to promote economic development, expand educational opportunities, and improve the availability and efficiency of government services.
“This is a tremendous ‘shot in the arm’ for Statesboro!" said Statesboro Mayor Bill Hatcher. "This grant helps us in making our city even more attractive for all, including new businesses and industries."
In August, the city entered into a contract with Excelsio Communications, who helped prepare the grant application and conducted a wireless feasibility study. Excelsio consultant Karl Edwards will be working with the city to build a business model which will determine who will own and operate the system.
Once the business model is complete, the project will be sent out to bid. Once a bid winner is determined, the mayor and City Council will vote to approve or deny the bid. Once a bid winner is approved, the project will start and an estimated completion date will be announced to the public.
The overall cost of the project will be at least $487,200 because the state requires a 50 percent match from the city in order to receive the funds. As a result, Statesboro will kick in at least $163,902 to make the project happen.
Back in August, City Manager George Wood said there are multiple ways a network could be deployed - anything from private sector ownership to the city owning and operating network.
"I have a bias towards the city not owning [the network] and just partnering with the private sector," said Wood. "Governments don't need to be in a high-tech, quickly changing field that takes a lot of investment. This is not water or sewer which has been done the same for decades. We're talking about something that could fundamentally change overnight."
"Again, my bias is towards private ownership, but I'll wait for the consultant's report before making a final recommendation."
One possible benefit to the city, according to WCG director Richard Calhoun, is the use of wireless for reading water meters. Meters could be read without going to each individual location, resulting in a quicker processing of bills. This would also reduce costs associated with gathering information, such as gasoline spent driving around and overhead spent on labor.
Calhoun said, "And lower insurance costs, too. The applications and benefits of this kind of system are endless."
The WCG program is the brainchild of Perdue, introduced during the 1996 State of the State. The WCG program provides funding to local governments to build wireless networks in their communities in order to promote economic development, expand educational opportunities, and improve the availability and efficiency of government services.
“This is a tremendous ‘shot in the arm’ for Statesboro!" said Statesboro Mayor Bill Hatcher. "This grant helps us in making our city even more attractive for all, including new businesses and industries."
In August, the city entered into a contract with Excelsio Communications, who helped prepare the grant application and conducted a wireless feasibility study. Excelsio consultant Karl Edwards will be working with the city to build a business model which will determine who will own and operate the system.
Once the business model is complete, the project will be sent out to bid. Once a bid winner is determined, the mayor and City Council will vote to approve or deny the bid. Once a bid winner is approved, the project will start and an estimated completion date will be announced to the public.
The overall cost of the project will be at least $487,200 because the state requires a 50 percent match from the city in order to receive the funds. As a result, Statesboro will kick in at least $163,902 to make the project happen.
Back in August, City Manager George Wood said there are multiple ways a network could be deployed - anything from private sector ownership to the city owning and operating network.
"I have a bias towards the city not owning [the network] and just partnering with the private sector," said Wood. "Governments don't need to be in a high-tech, quickly changing field that takes a lot of investment. This is not water or sewer which has been done the same for decades. We're talking about something that could fundamentally change overnight."
"Again, my bias is towards private ownership, but I'll wait for the consultant's report before making a final recommendation."
One possible benefit to the city, according to WCG director Richard Calhoun, is the use of wireless for reading water meters. Meters could be read without going to each individual location, resulting in a quicker processing of bills. This would also reduce costs associated with gathering information, such as gasoline spent driving around and overhead spent on labor.
Calhoun said, "And lower insurance costs, too. The applications and benefits of this kind of system are endless."