The Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce was proud to go "Live" with public broadband on Wednesday, July 24th at 8 a.m. The announcement took place during Cheyenne Day's Pancake Breakfast. The "Depot Goes Live" Broadband Launch featured Governor Mark Gordon, Senator Tara Nethercott, Representative Dan Zwonitzer, Mayor Marian Orr, City of Cheyenne Councilman Chairman Rocky Case, as well as other City Council Representatives and local dignitaries. To commemorate the public access to broadband a countdown was held to "switch on" the WiFi via a Giant Light Switch. Blue powder then covered the sky from the Cheyenne Depot Museum Clock Tower, and access to the Public Broadband was officially LAUNCHED.
“Broadband has been a priority from the beginning of my administration and this public WiFi initiative shows we are making great strides on that front," expressed Mayor Marian Orr. "Like many other utilities, broadband access has evolved to become vital in how we live, work and play. I would like to thank everyone who played a role in turning this from an idea on paper into a reality! And what better time to unveil this public service than during Cheyenne Frontier Days! This is a great service that will benefit our residents as well as visitors who visit the core of our historic downtown!”
"We are proud to celebrate the launch of the Depot Plaza Community WiFi system during Cheyenne Frontier Days along with our partners the City of Cheyenne, the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, and Charter Communications who took Microsoft’s investment and helped bring it to life,” said Dennis Ellis, Microsoft TechSpark Wyoming Manager. Microsoft has a history of community investment as Cheyenne is home to one of its data-centers and one of six TechSpark communities where the company is partnering on the local level to foster new economic opportunities. "Cheyenne is committed to creating a connected city and this free WiFi system that anyone can use to access the internet will make the Depot Plaza area an even more attractive destination for visitors, residents and the local businesses they support."
Microsoft supplied the Greater Cheyenne Foundation $150,000 to supply public broadband in January of 2019. The pilot project designated the Cheyenne Depot Plaza and the Cheyenne Depot Museum as the primary location for this initial launch. Charter Communications conducted the installation of the free WiFi during the last 6 months and completed the project ahead of schedule.
“Charter appreciates the opportunity to partner with the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce for this launch of Spectrum WiFi which, following last year’s introduction of Spectrum Internet Gig, builds on our commitment to deliver the latest and greatest in connectivity to the residents and businesses of Cheyenne,” said Todd Baxter, Charter Vice President of State Government Affairs.
The overall project is an example of what a private, public, partnership can do for the community and all parties are overjoyed with the results.
Special Thank You to Idler Photography for the below photos and to TalonSix for the drone footage of the festivities.
Investment into the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce helps us to achieve our mission and we could not do it without our Chamber Partners.
Special Thank You to the Initiative Sponsors:
NATIONAL PARTNERS
Blue Federal Credit Union
Capitol Roofing, Inc.
Century 21 Bell Real Estate
Coldwell Banker The Property Exchange
Halladay Motors, Inc.
High West Energy Companies
Jonah Bank of Wyoming
Midas Auto Service Experts
Nuvision Federal Credit Union
RE/MAX Capitol Properties
Spradley Barr Motors, Inc
UniWyo Federal Credit Union
Wyoming Bank & Trust
WYOMING PARTNERS
AARP
Affordable Roofing
ALIGN
ANB Bank
Black Hills Energy
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Wyoming
Charles Schwab
Cheyenne Regional Medical Center
Express Employment Professionals
Face Time Business Resources
First American Title
First State Bank
Holland & Hart
HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining LLC
Iron Mountain Contracting, LLC
Laramie County Abstract & Title Company
Magic City Enterprises, Inc.
MHP, LLP
National Property Inspections
Pinnacle Bank
Platinum Real Estate
Steil Surveying Services, LLC
Taco Johns International Inc
Vitalant
Walmart Store 1315
Western States Bank
Western Vista Credit Union
Woodhouse Roden Nethercott, LLC
CAPITOL PARTNERS
Burns Insurance Agency Inc
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Cheyenne
Floyds Truck Center, Inc.
Haselden Construction
Heinrich Marketing, Inc.
High West Digital Solutions
High West Wiring
RBC Wealth Management
TownePlace Suites Southwest
WYHY Federal Credit Union
CHEYENNE PARTNERS
B’s Baked Goods
Burlington Northern Railroad
Central Bank & Trust
Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Foundation
Clays Well Service
Dad’s Donuts featuring The Boys Brew
Dazbog Coffee
Element Church
First Education Federal Credit Union
First Family Properties LLC
First Interstate Bank
FirsTier Bank
Harmony Hearth & Home
Hiit30
Iron Creek Construction LLC
KIA of Cheyenne
Livin’ Well Family Chiropractic
Montessori School of Cheyenne
ONEOK
Oregon Trail Bank
Premier Bone & Joint Centers
Private Eyes Window Tint & Design
Roberts Lighting Service
Rocky Mountain International
Skils-kin
Some Like It Hot
Stonescape Steel Roofing
The Cheyenne Post
Tobin & Associates, P.C.
Villegas Trasnsport LLC
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