Reidsville, NC (Jan. 13, 2021) – Piedmont Electric and RiverStreet Networks are continuing to work together to provide free WiFi hotspots in rural communities where broadband internet service can be unreliable or expensive.
A new WiFi hotspot has been installed at the Cherry Grove Ruritan Club in Reidsville, NC and marks the third free WiFi hotspot provided by Piedmont Electric and RiverStreet Networks. The other two locations are at Piedmont Electric’s offices in Person and Caswell counties.
“We are proud to partner with Piedmont Electric and RiverStreet Networks to offer a safe location for our community to access free internet,” said Mitch Strader, Cherry Grove Ruritan Club president. “With so many working or learning from home because of the pandemic, this initiative really aligns with the Cherry Grove Ruritan Club’s mission to make our community a better place in which to live and work.”
Individuals can access the internet from the safety of their vehicles at all locations. The free access name is PEMC-Free-WiFi at all locations.
- Cherry Grove Ruritan Club: 7152 Cherry Grove Rd, Reidsville, NC 27320
- Caswell County: 64 Rascoe Dameron Road, Burlington, NC 27217
- Person County: 1125 Oxford Road, Roxboro, NC 27573
“Concern for community is one of the seven cooperative principles that guides our cooperative,” said Cy Vernon, Piedmont Electric board director. “Providing access to free WiFi is one of the ways we are supporting our communities during this challenging time.”
Piedmont Electric and RiverStreet Networks launched a joint initiative in December 2019 to determine if a more permanent solution to the lack of reliable broadband in rural communities could be sustainable.
“If you lack access to reliable internet, let us know you are interested by visiting Join.BuildPiedmont.com,” Vernon said. “Tell your neighbors, coworkers, friends and family to express their interest as well. You do not need to be a Piedmont Electric member to make your voice be heard.”
Once enough interest is gathered, RiverStreet will begin working on how to provide homes and businesses in the area with broadband internet. RiverStreet expects to start with wireless with the hope to transition to fiber to the home in areas where it is financially feasible. While the process of providing internet service is an expensive and time-consuming one, Vernon urged those who are interested to register and spread the word.
Piedmont Electric is a local, member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving more than 33,000 electric accounts in Caswell, Alamance Durham, Granville, Person and Orange counties. Piedmont Electric exists to serve our members and improve the quality of life in our communities through local employment, economic development, business engagement, youth education, grants to educators, advocacy for energy issues, community involvement, broadband connectivity and emergency preparedness support. Visit www.pemc.coop for more information.
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