The Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced a $1,662,216 grant award to the city of Las Vegas for the Corridor of Hope Wi-Fi Project. This EDA investment partially funds the larger, overall Advanced Connectivity for Community and Economic Development (ACCED) project for the city of Las Vegas’ Historic Westside neighborhood, the Corridor of Hope (home to social service facilities) and the Medical District, which have experienced significant impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. The project area covers more than 1,000 acres in central Las Vegas.
The project will provide Wi-Fi connectivity to individuals living in low-income areas to assist with education, employment, and job training to connect to these services from home at no charge. Once implemented, the project will create an estimated 300 jobs, improve business retention, enable business expansion, and increase business attraction opportunities, which will help advance economic resiliency throughout the region. Data transmission for individuals will vary based on many factors. The goal is to provide a minimum service of 25 megabytes per second down and 5 megabytes per second up; most individuals in the coverage area can expect to receive higher speeds.
“We are grateful for these funds and for the efforts of the Nevada delegation in Washington, D.C.,” Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman said. “It is crucial that all of our residents have opportunity and access to the tools that will help them to be successful, and these funds will go a long way in improving internet connectivity in the city’s urban core.”
In November 2020, $950,000 in grant funds were received from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation & Technology to begin implementation of the project, focusing on K-12 technology access to families in need when schools required distance learning for students. The estimated cost for the entire ACCED project is $5 million.
The EDA funds will pay for installation of nine structures (antennas, radios, and transport equipment) on existing city streetlight poles at the following locations:
Structure 1: Southwest comer of East Owens Avenue and North Bruce Street
Structure 2: Southeast comer of East Owens Avenue and North Eastern Avenue
Structure 3: Southeast comer of North Mojave Road and East Owens Avenue
Structure 4: Northeast comer of West Vegas Drive and North Tonopah Drive
Structure 5: Northwest comer of East St. Louis Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard South
Structure 6: Northwest comer of West Owens Avenue and North Martin L. King Jr.
Boulevard
Structure 7: Southeast comer of Harrison Avenue and D Street
Structure 8: Southwest corner of West Washington Avenue and North Martin L. King, Jr.
Boulevard
Structure 9: Southwest comer of East Bonanza Road and North Eastern Avenue
The maximum height of the equipment will be 33 feet. Twelve antennae structures were installed in the first phase of the project that began in 2020. Up to 20 antennae structures will be constructed in phase two. (See map of estimated coverage after completion of phase two.) Traffic impacts are expected to be minimal, with most of the work to be performed during normal business hours.
EDA grants are awarded through a competitive process based upon the application’s merit, the applicant’s eligibility, and the availability of funds. More information on EDA’s grant process and investment process can be found at www.eda.gov, or call EDA at 202-482-2900 with questions.