Press Release
CCEDC
WESTCLIFFE, Colorado
Custer County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) announced January 26 that they will suspend the operation of the Main Street wi-fi system effective February 1st. The nonprofit organization has supported and paid for the system since 2015, and the cost of operating and maintaining the system has become too expensive for CCEDC.
CCEDC initiated the operation of the Main Street wi-fi system in 2015 to support the end of the Ride the Rockies bicycle race in Westcliffe and Silver Cliff. The idea started as a public wi-fi system to support tourism in the Regional Broadband Strategic Plan completed in March 2015 and funded by an El Pomar Foundation matching grant of $25,000. Local donations were received in less than two weeks and the initial six antenna locations were in operation 10 days prior to the race’s termination.
The system has expanded from its initial six antennas to the current 12 in both Westcliffe and Silver Cliff. The operation of the system over nine years has been totally supported by the CCEDC at a cost of approximately $1,000 a month.
However, if the CCEDC were to receive additional funding, the operation of the system could be continued through the tourist season, May 1st through Labor Day. Further details will become available as the summer season approaches.
For further information, contact Charles
Bogle, president of CCEDC; (719) 315.6229; ccEconDevC@gmail.com; or Ellen Glover, CCEDC member, at communityoutreach9000@gmail.com.