Economic Development Committee Representative Projects

AYPN Announces FREE WiFi
LITTLE ROCK, AR (October 18, 2007) - The Arkansas Young Professionals Network (AYPN) joined representatives from the City of Little Rock, Aristotle.net, and a host of private sponsors in announcing the activation of free Wi-Fi Internet access in the River Market District of Little Rock.
"This project is about having an immediate and visible impact in Little Rock," said William Porterfield, AYPN Executive Director. "AYPN's mission is to keep young professionals in Arkansas. By providing free wireless internet in the River Market, we are adding yet another dimension to what is quickly becoming a prime market for young professionals."
Little Rock-based Aristotle Inc. has been contracted to provide the service. Over the last two months, Aristotle has deployed dozens of wireless Internet access points throughout the River Market district. Access is free to users.
"As of today, residents and visitors should be able to access the Internet by way of the AYPN network from the Broadway Bridge all the way to the River Market pavilions," said Elizabeth Bowles, President of Aristotle. "In fact, when we turned the system on to test it a few weeks ago, we immediately had over 200 visitors try to access the service. In addition, this network complements the additional free Wi-Fi network available across the River at the Dickey-Stephens ballpark."
The Arkansas Young Professionals Network is a non-profit, all volunteer organization with a mission of keeping young professionals in Arkansas. They host many development, social, and outreach activities across central Arkanas, and are backed by numerous business sponsors such as Dillard's, Alltel, Entergy, Arvest, Twin City Bank, and the Downtown Partnership. For more information on AYPN or the WiFi project, please contact William Porterfield via email at wporterfield@aypn.org or by phone at 501-908-9661.
____________________________________________2007 Economic Development Forum - "The Fayetteville Shale Play"

____________________________________________2006 Economic Development Forum - "Real Estate Development: The Changing Face of Little Rock"

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