KALKASKA -- Free wireless Internet may have a new destination: Kalkaska.
Village officials want to launch high-speed wireless Internet service throughout the main commercial corridors along U.S. 131 and M-72. Kalkaska's Downtown Development Authority is committed to spend $60,000 and Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, the local hospital, pledged $39,000 for the venture.
"We've realized wireless high-speed Internet is critical infrastructure, just like the telephone was," said Dean Farrier, DDA chairman.
A request for proposals will go out next week with a mid-June deadline. The system could go online by summer's end, Farrier said.
"Kalkaska already has high-speed, but what we're hoping to attract is new entrepreneurs and knowledge-based businesses," he said.
Consultant Rob Franzo, from Mitten Communications in Traverse City, is working with the village to improve online access and local marketing.
"This is about building a brand for the villages and cities," Franzo said.
Wi-Fi users can view region-specific advertisements as they move into town and that can lure visitors to stay longer, he said.
Kelly Russell, manager at G's Pizzeria and Deli in Kalkaska, said the wireless Internet they already have draws a crowd.
"We get a lot of repeat customers that come in and have a small pizza and a drink and work on homework or other work," Russell said.
The restaurant may investigate using the village's wireless service rather than continuing to pay for its own, she said.
The idea is to offer free, time-limited Internet use or free access after viewing advertisements. Service subscriptions would allow network access without ads.
Advertising and subscription revenues would financially support the program, Farrier said.
"We would expect at a year and a half or two years to be making money," Farrier said.
Village Manager Penny Hill said the project can do more than drive the business community forward. It would be a "matter of convenience" for residents, she said.
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