The City of Rocky Mount prepares to add free public wi-fi downtown

The City of Rocky Mount is preparing to launch free public Wi-Fi in downtown for the first time.

Lamone Green has been in business in downtown Rocky Mount for 14 years and welcomes the update.

"Our software runs off of Wi-Fi," he said.

Green said the internet in downtown Rocky Mount can be spotty.

"Sometimes you don't even realize you have poor service until you actually go out to use it," he said.

Rocky Mount City Manager Keith Rogers said the initiative is partially motivated by concerns from business owners.

"As we are dealing with attracting new businesses and also attracting new residents to our downtown, we need the capabilities for businesses to be able to have reliable Internet connections," Rogers said.

The Wi-Fi the city is installing will be faster than what the federal government recommends and much better than what many business owners have now.

Deborah Johnson, Owner of Affordable 2 Insurance, hopes this will encourage more customers and fill some empty spaces next door with new tenants.

"I do believe this will help promote people to come here. If we got Wi-Fi, if we have to build a business, the Wi-Fi is already there so you can conduct business," she said.

Johnson has struggled with internet outages in the past. She said the ability to access city-provided Wi-Fi will be helpful in those situations.

"We really do need it. I feel like jumping for joy," Johnson said.

The city manager said the launch of this initiative would be the city's next step toward a vibrant downtown.

"When you look at robust and thriving areas, [Wi-Fi] is something that is almost baked in. You don't even have to think about it," Rogers said.

The city manager expects the Wi-Fi to be up and running by the end of April.

The cost is currently being determined by the upcoming budgeting process for fiscal year 2025.