MAIN goes high-speed in Marshall!

MAIN brings fast Internet to downtown Marshall

The nonprofit Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN) has launched its high-speed wireless Internet service in downtown Marshall.

MAIN's wireless Internet service comes in two forms: a free service for visitors and tourists with "wi-fi" enabled laptops, and a fee-based service for downtown businesses and residents who need security and performance guarantees.

"We're very pleased to launch this service and to support Marshall's economic and community revitalization effort," said MAIN executive director Wally Bowen.

Marshall is one of 20 economic and community revitalization projects funded by the North Carolina Small Towns Economic Prosperity (N.C. STEP) program, a grant-based effort coordinated by the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center.

"This is a very important step for the town," said Linda Giltz, project consultant for NC-STEP and regional planner at Land of Sky Regional Council.

"High-speed Internet was identified in our visioning and planning for the future. It will be a strong selling point for the town in bringing new businesses to Marshall and attracting more people to live downtown," Giltz said.

MAIN's free wireless "hot spot" will cover most of downtown Marshall and will be available around the clock. MAIN's fee-based service will be used by businesses and local residents who require security for electronic commerce, online banking and confidential medical information.

MAIN began serving Madison County with affordable dial-up Internet access in 1996, when most residents and businesses had to call long-distance to reach the Internet. MAIN also provided the first public Internet access at the Madison County Public Library in 1996.

For more information about MAIN's Internet services, visit http://www.main.nc.us, or call 255-0182.