HARRISON — Residents of Harrison are benefiting from new public access WiFi hotspots provided by Community Concepts Finance Corporation(CCFC) and the Northern Forest Center. 

Free WiFi service is now available at the town office, Crystal Lake Park, and the Harrison Food Bank. The new free hotspots were made possible in part by a grant to CCFC from the Northern Border Regional Commission and additional support from the Center as part of the Maine West initiative. 

“Free public access hotspots are an important way of expanding internet access to people who cannot access or afford service at home,” said CCFC Vice President for Economic Development Mia Purcell. “This project is part of our longer-term work to secure universal, affordable, reliable, and future ready internet service for communities across Oxford County.”

Getting connected is “as easy as 1-2-3.” Go on your device, locate the network name “Free Public WIFI,” then, connect to the network, “Sign in” by opening your browser and “Accept” the terms of use. 

“We know that providing affordable, universal Internet service for all residents is a multi-year process,” said Phil Devlin, chairman of the Harrison Broadband Committee and a Harrison selectman. “WiFi hotspots located in areas with public parking and a good internet connection are one short-term solution for providing internet accessibility to currently unserved residents.” 

If your community is located in the Oxford Hills, River Valley, or greater Bethel area, and you’re interest in expanding free public internet service, contact Mia Purcell at Community Concepts Finance Corporation: mpurcell@community-concepts.org.