Louisville Mayor: Wi-Fi Access to Double in Russell Neighborhood

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer on Monday announced a plan to expand internet connectivity in West Louisville — a need recently expressed by some West End stakeholders.

Fischer said Louisville Metro Government has partnered with the firm Digital Decision to install roughly 30 Wi-Fi access points throughout the Russell neighborhood, which he said will double the access to free wireless internet service in this West Louisville neighborhood.

The project is made possible in part by a $400,000 Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant that was awarded to the city through the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, the mayor’s office said in a news release.

The city said it also is exploring potential partnerships with private internet service providers to create expanded internet access to other local homes and businesses, specifically in neighborhoods where this service has been limited in the past.

Sadiqa Reynolds, President and CEO of the Louisville Urban League (Louisville, KY), challenged the business community to improve Internet access in part by seeking out partnerships with Jefferson County Public Schools to ensure every JCPS student in the West End and beyond has a 1:1 ratio on technology, including a personal computer and strong internet connection at home.

“We have to be able to diversify the economy and the jobs created. We have to expand the number of Black businesses now with investments and technical assistance,” Reynolds told LBF. “There are some business owners that could be very helpful for the entire Black community in helping them get their business off the ground. They have good plans, but they don’t always have the seed money and technical expertise.”

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