Mokan Communications has started work on a public wi-fi network that will provide free service to Paola’s Park Square and Wallace Park. A ribbon cutting for the project took place July 25th at MoKan’s outdoor booth at the Miami County Fair. The project is being funded, in part, by one of multiple state grants MoKan has secured. Officials with MoKan, say the Paola grants are about $808,000, with MoKan matching about 10%. During the ribbon cutting, Paola Mayor Leigh House thanked Miami County Economic Development Director Janet McRae for helping MoKan apply for state grants, including a $12 million grant from the Kansas Office of Broadband Development that helped bring broadband to the Stanton and Rantoul areas, and another $2.98 million grant that will help bring broadband to the Wea area near Bucyrus.
House says partnering with Miami County and MoKan dial to bring public wi-fi options to Paola not only means a way to help boost tourism, but also to help bring free internet access options to the citizens. Having amenities such as this not only boosts citizens’ quality of life, it helps to make Paola a place people want to work, visit and live.
