Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Michael Harris of Team Northwoods Communications offers information on broadband technologies to attendees of the Internet Fair held at the Mercer Community Center on Tuesday evening.
By ISABELLE KLEINSCHMIDT
MERCER, Wis. - There was an Internet Fair held at the Mercer Community Center on Tuesday afternoon. The event was put on by the Gogebic/Iron County Broadband Committee in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin-Extension.
The evening kicked off with attendees visiting various booths set-up by area vendors. There were several different companies offering an array of wireless routers and accessories made to help equip potential buyers with greater internet capabilities.
"This is the first community outreach we've held," said committee volunteer Mike Shouldice, "We're trying to let the populace know what their options are."
Later on, there were presentations given by a number of area representatives. The first speaker and Chairman of the Gogebic Range Broadband Committee, Norman McKindles, outlined some of the history and goals of the event.
"The first goal was to find out the overall satisfaction with the internet in the area, and then to try to help educate the public in a variety of ways." said McKindles.
In 2014, the committee distributed surveys to Iron County property owners. In total, there were 803 returned. Almost all of the returned surveys indicated the need for the expansion and improvement of broadband throughout the area.
Of the respondents, 171 said that they would spend more time in Iron County if they had adequate service. 162 of them said they would consider moving to the area permanently if that were the case.
"Fast and reliable internet has become as important to us as transportation," said McKindles, "High quality internet speeds generate economic development."
There were several other speakers throughout the evening. The speakers touched on topics such as online education, career building and working from home on the internet, home security and 'smart' home appliances, and internet safety.
Those in attendance were treated to refreshments and could enter for a chance to win a free iPad at the end of the evening.
