(UNDATED) – St. Joseph County has recently benefited from aid for more internet access.

COVID-19 continues to increase demand for internet access, and the resources normally available to those without access to broadband internet at home are limited. Because of this, partners throughout St. Joseph County are working with the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center to establish public WiFi outdoor access points at 18 school buildings throughout the county.

ITDRC is a nationwide, volunteer driven 501c3 non profit organization that provides no cost Information, Communications and Technology resources to communities in need. This initiative is in addition to resources available through individual school districts, and is open to both students and the general public.

St. Joseph County Emergency Management Director Erin Goff says internet access has been a vital component to the COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. She says they are grateful for the opportunity afforded by ITDRC to have internet access points available in so many school locations.

County Grant Writer James Hissong worked with Emergency Management, the St. Joseph County ISD and Glen Oaks Community College to submit a joint application to ITDRC. Hissong says this model is being used all across the county to assist with internet access during the coronavirus pandemic.

Free public WiFi networks can now be accessed in the parking lots of the following school buildings:
Sturgis Central Commons, on the south side of the building;
Sturgis Middle School, on the west side of the building;
Centreville JR/SR High School on the northeast corner of the high school building;
Colon Elementary School, on the west side of the building;
Colon JR/SR High School on the east side of the building;
Constantine Eastside Elementary School on the south side of the elementary building;
Constantine High School on the east side of the building;
Leonidas Elementary School on the east side of the building;
Mendon Elementary School on the east side of the building;
Mendon JR/SR High School on the west side of the building;
Nottawa Community School on the northeast corner of the building;
Three Rivers Andrews Elementary School on the northeast side of the building;
Three Rivers Norton Elementary School on the northeast side of the building;
Three Rivers Park Elementary School on the east side of the building; Three Rivers High School on the south side of the building;
White Pigeon JR/SR High School on the west side of the building near the gym;
White Pigeon Elementary School at the northwest corner of the building; Glen Oaks Community College on the west side of the Student Residence building;
St. Joseph County ISD on the south side of the administration building.