Updated January 25, 2021: Although the state-funded effort is over, a national organization, the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC), has offered to donate and install additional Wi-Fi hot spots around the state. In response to COVID-19, ITDRC established projectConnect, a nationwide effort to provide free community Wi-Fi installations to connect students and families to the internet, especially those living in rural and underserved communities. They have agreed to help the state fill our unmet internet service needs free of cost. A town office, library, general store, or other community space that would like to host a Wi-Fi hot spot can submit a request to the ITDRC directly. Each request will be evaluated for need, sustainability, and community impact.
Prior to the widespread closure of facilities due to the COVID-19 outbreak, medical providers and their patients, and students and their teachers, customarily met in person in offices and classrooms. COVID-19 and social distancing requirements have necessitated telehealth consultations and teleschooling/remote learning that, under non-pandemic circumstances, could have been conducted – if necessary and unavailable at home – via internet connections inside a library, coffee shop, or other public internet access point. The need for ubiquitous access to high-speed internet connections for healthcare, education, and government services has grown exponentially while existing public access points have become suddenly unavailable due to social distancing requirements.
The Vermont Department of Public Service addressed this emergency gap and prevented additional harm by contracting for the rapid installation of 190 commercial-grade outdoor Wireless Access Points around the state of Vermont that are accessible by vehicle in order to facilitate this emergency provision of adequate wireless internet and Wi-Fi calling services for telehealth, contact tracing, distance learning, e-government, remote working, and other COVID-19-related needs.
Phase 1: Identifying Wi-Fi Hotspots
Phase 2: Microsoft/RTO Wireless Access Point Donation (35 Sites)
Phase 3: State of Vermont Wi-Fi Hotspot Program
List of All Official Public Wi-Fi Hotspots
Phase 1: Identifying Wi-Fi Hotspots
The Department prepared a map of public buildings in Vermont where WiFi with access to the internet is publicly available as a resource for remote learning and working from home. These sites are accessible at all hours from a parked vehicle on the road or parking lot. As a COVID-19 safety precaution, we discourage users from entering the premises or congregating outside. These sites should be accessed from within a parked vehicle. This information was compiled through an email survey of schools, libraries, and town offices conducted in March 2020.
Note: The map on the left and the list below may not be complete.
Phase 2: Microsoft/RTO Wireless Access Point Donation
On April 16, 2020, Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Public Service announced an innovative collaboration with several partners that will increase internet access by means of public Wi-Fi hotspots for dozens of rural towns in Vermont.
“Broadband remains a critical resource for Vermonters in rural areas to stay connected and work and learn remotely during our Stay Home, Stay Safe period…. We are grateful to our partners at Microsoft, RTO Wireless and Up And Running I.T. for their assistance in providing this important service,” said Governor Scott.
“Microsoft approached RTO Wireless about teaming up on deploying free public Wi-Fi at venues located in rural communities that lack sufficient broadband coverage,” said RTO’s CEO Steve Hubbard. “Microsoft offered to fund the purchase and installation of the hotspot devices.”
Consumers expressed their gratitude at finally being able to have access to reliable broadband service:
- "Wheelock is a small rural town of 850 people in Caledonia County. The new Wi-Fi Hot Spot installed at Wheelock Town Hall on April 11, 2020 is our first Hot Spot in the town, and we know it is making a difference.”
- "I believe in miracles! Justin came and installed the hotspot – and now there is cell reception at the [Huntington] Recreation Field and the adjacent parking lot that also serves the Town Office - Fire Station - Town Garage complex."
- Letter of thanks from Town of Highgate to RTO Wireless
Phase 3: State of Vermont Wi-Fi Hotspot Program
The Wireless Access Points have been deployed based on the following criteria
- Are there existing quality Wi-Fi hotspots in the community?
- Does the school district have a large number of households without broadband access?
- Is the location in a town center without cell service? The devices allow Wi-Fi calling.
- Does access exist in the community but is not affordable?
-- Has the Regional Planning Commission or Communications Union District identified a need for an equipment upgrade at a location.
- Is there a special-use case, such as a shelter or the community gathering space for a high-risk population?
- Did the site request a hotspot during Phase 2 that was unable to be honored?
- Will the site gain new connectivity as a result of a Connectivity Initiative award?
- Variety of available Wi-Fi sites. Schools may not be available for public access when in session.
- Is the location a regional center or a geographically distinct village within a town
List of Wi-Fi Hotspots Deployed
Albany - Albany Methodist Church 906 Main St |
Alburgh - Alburgh Community Education Center 45 Champlain St |
Alburgh - Alburgh Public Library 128 S Main St |
Alburgh - Islands In The Sun Senior Center 547 Main Street |
Andover - Andover Town Clerk/Treasurer 953 Weston Andover Rd |
Arlington - Arlington Town Office 3828 VT-7A |
Athens - Athens Town Office 25 Brookline Rd |
Bakersfield - Bakersfield Town Offices 40 East Bakersfield Road |
Barnard - Barnard General Store 6134 VT-12 |
Barnet - Barnet Library 147 Church St |
Barre - Hilltop Inn Hilltop Inn 3472 Airport Road |
Barre - Hollowinn and motel 278 south main street |
Barre City - Barre City 6 N Main St |
Barre City - Downstreet Apartments 22 Keith Avenue |
Barre Town - Aldrich Public Library, York Branch, East Barre 134 Mill Street |
Barton - Barton Town Office 34 Main St |
Barton - Village Municipal Building 17 Village Sq. |
Barton Village - Barton Village Municipal Building 17 Village Sq. |
Belvidere - Belvidere Central School 4515 Vt Route 109 |
Bennington - Bennington High LLC 650 Main Street |
Bennington - Bennington Housing Authority 22 Willowbrook Dr. |
Bennington - Train Station Depot 2 Depot St |
Benson - Benson Public Library 2724 Stage Road |
Berkshire - Berkshire Town Office |
Bolton - Bolton U-Haul 3608 Theodore Roosevelt Hwy |
Brandon - Brandon Town Hall 1 Conant Sq |
Brattleboro - Hayes Court Apartments 50 Garfield Drive |
Bridgewater - Bridgewater Community Center 7313 US Route 4 |
Brownington - Orleans County Historical Society/Old Stone House Museum 109 Old Stone House Road |
Burke - Burke Town Office Building 212 School Street |
Burke - Burke Town School 3293 Burke Hollow Rd |
Burke - West Burke Library West Burke Village Library rt5 West Burke |
Burlington - Ruggles House 262 South Prospect St |
Cabot - Cabot Commons Apartments 36 Glinka Road |
Cabot - Cabot Public Library 3084 Main St. |
Calais - Calais General Store 4520 Vt Route 14 |
Cambridge - Cambridge Town Offices 85 Church St |
Cambridge - Deer Run Motor Inn - Shelter 80 Deer Run Loop |
Cambridge - Jeffersonville Market 49 Old Main St |
Canaan - Alice M. Ward Memorial Library Canaan VT 27 Park Street, PO Box 134 |
Castleton - Castelton Village Store 583 Main St |
Castleton - Castleton Free Library 638 Main St |
Charleston - Charleston Elementary School 255 Center School Rd |
Charleston - Scampi’s Store 1155 Vt-105 |
Charlotte - Charlotte Spear's Corner Store 20 Jackson Hill Rd |
Chelsea - Chelsea Public Library 296 VT RTE 110 |
Chelsea - Chelsea Public School 6 School Street |
Chittenden - Wooden Barrel Country Store 231 Chittenden Rd |
Concord - Concord School 173 School St |
Corinth - Corinth Town Hall 1387 Cookeville Road |
Corinth - East Corinth Blake Memorial Library 676 Village Road |
Corinth - East Corinth General Store 8392 Vt Route 25 |
Cornwall - Town of Cornwall, Cornwall Free Public Library 2629 Route 30 |
Coventry - Coventry Elementary School 348 Us Route 5 |
Craftsbury - Craftsbury Public Library 0 Church Lane, P.O. Box 74 |
Danville - Pope Memorial Library - Danville 121 Park Street |
Dover - East Dover 22 Holland Road, Suite 1 |
Dummerston - Lydia Taft Pratt Library Dummerston VT 150 West St. |
East Haven - East Haven Community Building 64 Community Building Rd |
Elmore - Elmore United Methodist Church 1081 Vt Route 12 |
Enosburg Falls - Enosburgh Mesonic Temple 21 Missisquoi St |
Enosburg Falls - Enosburgh Town Office 239 Main Street |
Enosburgh - Enosburgh Falls PSB 83 Sampsonville Rd |
Essex Junction - Brownell Library 6 Lincoln St |
Essex Juntion - Whitcomb Woods 128 West St |
Fairfax - Fairfax Town Offices 12 Buck Hollow Rd |
Fairfield - Bent Northrop Memorial Library 164 Park St |
Fayston - Faysten Municipal Building and Park and Ride 866 N Fayston Rd |
Ferdinand - Office of Unified Towns and Gore 233 Vt Route 105 |
Ferrisburgh - Ferrisburg Central School 56 Little Chicago Rd |
Gilman - Lunenburg/Gilman Schools 2720 River Road |
Glover - Glover Town Office 51 Bean Hill Rd |
Grafton - Grafton Public Library 204 Main Street |
Grand Isle - Grand Isle School 224 Us Route 2 |
Groton - Groton Community Housing 1334 Scott Highway |
Groton - Groton Town Clerks 1476 Scott Hwy |
Guilford - Guilford Town Office 236 School Road |
Hardwick - Depot Street, Hardwick VT (location includes Hardwick Town House, Historical Society Museum & Trail Head for the LVRT) 127 CHURCH ST. |
Highgate - Highgate Library and Community Center 17 Mill Hill Road |
Highgate - Highgate Town Office Complex 2996 Vt Route 78 |
Huntington - Huntington Town Office & Fire Station 2156 Main Rd |
Hyde Park - Vermont Center for Independent Living 239 Brook Rd |
Irasburg - Leach Public Library, Irasburg Common 130 Park Ave |
Isle La Motte - Isle La Motte Elementary 42 School St Ext |
Jamaica - Jamaica Town Office |
Jay - Jay Westfield Joint Elementary School 257 Revoir Flat Rd |
Jericho - JeriHill Senior Housing 31 JeriHill Ln |
Johnson - Johnson Town Office 293 Lower Main St W |
Johnson - Johnson's Sterling Market 131 Lower Main St. |
Johnson - Sterling Market 131 Lower Main St. |
Killington - Killington Visitors Center |
Landgrove - Landgrove Town Offices 88 Landgrove Rd |
Lemington - Lemington Town Offices 2549 Vt Route 102 |
Lincoln - Town of Lincoln 62 Quaker St. |
Londonderry - Londonderry Town Office 100 Old School Street |
Lowell - Town of Lowell Clerks Office 2170 VT RTE 100 |
Lunenburg - Gilman Middle School 2720 River Rd |
Lunenburg - Lunenburg Elementary School 49 Bobbin Mill Rd |
Lyndon - Lyndon Town School 2591 Lily Pond Rd |
Marlboro - Marlboro Elementary School 2669 Vt Route 9 |
Marlboro - Marlboro Town Office and/or Community Center 510 and/or 524 South Road |
Marshfield - Marshfield Village Store 1425 Us Route 2 |
Monkton - Monkton Central School 1036 Monkton Rd |
Montgomery - Montgomery PSB 86 Mountain Rd |
Montpelier - City of Montpelier- Municipal Building 39 Main Street |
Montpelier - Riverstation Apartments 191 Barre Street |
Montpelier - Family Center of Washington County 383 Sherwood Drive |
MORRISVILLE - Morristown Centenial Library 7 Richmond Street, P O BOX 727 |
Mount Holly - Mount Holly Library 26 Maple Hill Road |
New Haven - Beeman Elementary School 50 North St |
Newark - Newark Street School 1448 Newark St |
Newfane - Moore Free Library 23 West St |
North Hero - North Hero Town Office and School 6441 Us Route 2 |
Norton - Lake View Store 4531 VT Rt 114 East |
Norton - Norton Town Office 12 Vt-114 |
Norwich - Beaver Meadow School House Association 246 Chapel Hill Road |
Norwich - Norwich Farmers Market 301 Us Route 5 S |
Orwell - Orwell Free Library 473 Main Street |
Panton - Panton Town Hall Parking Lot and Park & Ride Lot 3176 Jersey St |
Pawlet - Pawlet Public Library 141 School St |
Peacham - Peacham Library 656 Bayley Hazen Rd |
Peru - Peru Town Office 402 Main St |
Pittsford - Keith's Country Store Inc 4085 RT 7 |
Pittsford - Pittsford Village Farm 42 Elm St. |
Plainfield - Plainfield Town Clerk 149 Main St. |
Pomfret - Pomfret Town Hall 5218 Pomfret Rd |
Poultney - Poultney Village Office 98 Depot Street |
Poultney - Town of Poultney Young at Heart Senior Center 206 Furnace Street |
Poultney - East Poultney General Store 11 on the Green |
Poultney - Poultney Town Office 9 Main Street |
Pownal - Pownal Valley Central Fire Station 253 VT-346 |
Proctorsville - Cavendish Fletcher Community Library 573 Main Street |
Putney - Putney Public Library 55 Main St. |
Readsboro - The St. Joachim Space 342 Tunnel St. |
Richford - Richford Town Offices 94 Main St |
Richmond - Richmond Free Library 201 Bridge Street |
Ripton - Ripton Town Office & Community House 1311 Vt Route 125 |
Rochester - Huntington House/Town Green 19 Huntington Place |
Rochester - Rochester Public School 220 S Main St |
Roxbury - Roxbury Free Library 1491 Roxbury Rd |
Rupert - The Sheldon Store 2824 Route 153 |
Rutland - HIckory Street Housing 15 Juneberr Lane |
Ryegate - Ryegate Town Clerk 18 S Bayley Hazen Rd |
Saint George - St George Town Offices 21 Barber Rd |
Sandgate - Sandgate Town Hall 3266 Sandgate Rd |
Saxtons River - Saxtons River Elementary School 15 School St |
Sheffield - Sheffield Municipal Building 37 Dane Rd |
Sheldon - Sheldon Fire Department 479 Mill Street |
Shoreham - Platt Memorial Library - Shoreham 279 Main St. |
South Hero - Folsom Community Center 75 South St |
Springfield - Black River Innovation Campus 60 Park Street |
St. Albans - Four Winds Senior Housing 145 North Elm Street |
St. Johnsbury - Mountain View Housing 125 Mountain View Drive |
Stannard - Stannard Town Offices 615 Stannard Mountain Rd |
Starksboro - Robinson Elementary School 41 Parsonage Rd |
Stockbridge - Stockbridge Central School 2933 VT Route 107 |
Stowe - Stowe Free Library 90 Pond Street |
Strafford - Newton School 243 VT-132 |
Stratton - Stratton Town Clerk 9 W Jamaica Rd |
Sudbury - Sudbury Country School 31 Schoolhouse Rd |
Sunderland - Sunderland Town Office Building 104 Mountain View Rd |
Sutton - Sutton Town Office 167 Underpass Rd |
Swanton - Swanton Public Library 1 First St. |
Thetford - Thetford Town Hall 3910 Vt Route 113 |
Topsham - Gramps Country Store 486 Vt Route 25 |
Tunbridge - Tunbridge School |
Tunbridge - Tunbridge Town Offices 271 Vt-110 |
Vergennes - Bixby Memorial Free Library - Vergennes 258 Main Street |
Vernon - Vernon Free Library 567 Governor Hunt Rd |
Walden - Walden School 135 Cahoon Farm Rd |
Waltham - Waltham Town Offices 2053 Maple St |
Wardsboro - Wardsboro Town Hall & Library 71 Main St |
Waterbury - Anderson Field - Recreation Building 27 Butler St. |
Waterbury Center - Green Mountain Seminary Apartments 201 Hollow Road |
Waterford - Waterford School 276 Duck Pond Rd |
West Fairlee - West Fairlee Town Hall 870 RTE 113 |
West Rutland, VT - West Rutland School 713 Main St |
Westford - Red Brick Meeting House - Westford 1685 Vt Route 128 |
Westford - Westford Country Store and Cafe 26 Common Road |
Westminster - Westminster Institute 3534 U.S. Route 5 |
Weston - Weston Playhouse Theatre Company 12 Park Street |
Wheelock - Wheelock Town Offices 1192 Vt Route 122 |
Williamstown - Ainsworth Public Library 2338 VT Route 14 |
Wilmington - Pettee Memorial Library 16 South Main St. |
Windham - Windham Meeting House 6984 Windham Hill Rd |
Windsor - Main St. Windsor 54 Main St |
Windsor - Mascoma Bank - Main St 105 Main Street |
Winhall - Winhall Memorial Library 2 Lower Taylor Hill Road |
Winooski - Winooski Memorial Library 32D Malletts Bay Avenue |
Wolcott - Wolcott Town Office 28 Railroad St |
Woodbury - Woodbury Town Clerk's Office 1672 Vt Rt 14 |