Community House Cooperative, with support from the Waitt Family Foundation & Waitt Institute and the Intel Corporation, and in partnership with the University of Tennessee Community Partnership Center, the City of Newport, the Newport/Cocke County Chamber of Commerce, Planet Connect, Lynn Allen Office & Printing Supply, and other local businesses & organizations, is coordinating a collaborative project to create a public wireless Newport Community Network.

While we also envision developing a "hotspot" (with wireless worldwide web connection) like those becoming increasingly popular in urban environments, we are focusing first on utilizing this technology locally to foster and create community connectedness within Newport and Cocke County.

What is the purpose of the network?

We envision that this will promote community peace, equity & sustainability through empowering our populations:

* to access information regarding services and resources available for residents and their families;

* to share calendars, contact info, announcements, research data pertinent to Newport and Cocke County conditions, and other information;

* to understand emerging issues, communicate with decision-makers and other stakeholders, and identify opportunities to support the well-being of our city, our county and our innumerable communities of place, interest and culture;

* to connect with one another and find meaningful self-expression dealing with family concerns and proposals about health, agriculture, finances, recovery, recreation, etc. etc. through conferencing, polls, chats, online planning sessions, etc.

* to appreciate the role of Newport and Cocke County participation in regional, state & other affiliations in the sectors of business & professions, economic development, community health & food security, agriculture, public housing, faith-based programs, service and education;

* to contribute to community-based research projects through accumulation and evaluation of local data on problems and accomplishments; and ultimately

* to generate wealth in our own community through the development of local business and the export of multiple products and services.

Where is the network?

Beginning in July 2004, the Newport Community Network will wirelessly connect the downtown corridor from the Memorial Building at Gateway Corner through the Eastport Shopping Center including all public areas around the Fire Department, NHA Mims Hotel & Clinic, downtown businesses on Main and on Broadway, City Hall, and the Courthouse. Subsequent development of infrastructure will enable expansion to Baptist Hospital of Cocke County, Newport Grammar School and CCHS and surrounding private residential and public housing neighborhoods.

Long-term network planning calls for ultimate community network expansion to the entire county.

What's on the network?

The network will offer:

* direct local connection to websites of participating organizations, government, businesses, service agencies;

* additional informational listings for businesses, families, churches, etc. which do not have websites;

* locally interactive forums, chat rooms, etc.;

* E-mail within the network;

* Voice & video conferencing within network;

* video selections including real-time and recorded public meetings and events;

* pre-scheduled local network broadcasts selected from the internet (enabling users to sample worldwide web on the Community Network);

* virtual marketplaces for entrepreneurs including growers, day laborers, craftspeople, entertainers, transporters, etc.

* regional and national affiliated sites such as "Move on Tennessee" and "Local Harvest"

* research findings compiled to inform public concerning local issues and decision-making; and

* the innovative applications that users will recommend and be assisted in developing

How is the network accessed?

The network is accessed through desktop or laptop computers, hand-held PC's, and new wi0fi cell-phones.

Where will the network be demonstrated?

Network demonstration sites for Summer 2004 will be located in public access areas throughout downtown Newport as well as at the Tanner Cultural Center Tech-Media Center on Mulberry Street across from CVS Pharmacy.