City of Gardner receives $200K for fiber optic network to improve municipal IT
Photo | Courtesy of City of Gardner
Gardner Mayor Mike Nicholson and Massachusetts Director of Rural Affairs Anne Gobi
The City of Gardner received a $200,000 Community Compact Municipal Fiber Grant from the Massachusetts state government to improve communications between City departments.
The funding will allow the City to connect its School Department, Police Department, and the new location of the Gardner Senior Center at Waterford Street School to a single fiber optic network, according to a Thursday press release from the Office of Mayor Mike Nicholson. Currently, Gardner City Hall, Gardner Fire Headquarters, and the Gardner Police Headquarters are all connected by fiber optic cable.
“The immediate benefit will be that the police will have access to school cameras from the Police Station. Future benefits include faster internet and greater internet connectivity.” Gardner Director of Information Technology Bob O’Keefe said in the press release. “The fiber connection to the former Waterford School will bring internet service without a monthly recurring cost. This will save our senior center approximately $60,000 over the next 10 years. The savings will also be available for the nonprofits that will be in that building. With the fiber the city’s Tech Department will be able to monitor and maintain its computers, phones, and security without leaving City Hall.”
The Municipal Fiber Grant Program, offered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, provides competitive grants to support the closing of critical gaps existing in municipal networks. Awards are focused on connecting municipality-owned facilities and assisting municipalities in achieving critical goals associated with their fiber networks, including protection from the growing risk of cyber security exploits targeting local government, the expansion of remote work and meeting the expectations of constituents who enjoy the convenience of interacting with government online, said the press release.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments