Pryor Celebrates Free Public Wi-Fi Launch

State and local leaders joined Google and City of Pryor officials today to officially "cut the wires" in downtown Pryor, marking the launch of Mayes County's first free public Wi-Fi program.

The program is funded by a $200,000 grant from Google, who operates a data center located in the Mid-America Industrial Park near Pryor.

"We are an innovative City that embraces technology because we believe that it can strengthen our local economy," mayor Jimmy Tramel said in a statement. "Google has continually invested in our community through its grant program, and we are grateful the company calls Pryor home."

Members of the community gathered in downtown Pryor to celebrate with carnival games, live music, Google product demonstrations and remarks from Congressman Markwayne Mullin, Mayor Tramel and Google officials. Students from Pryor High School were the first to connect to the wireless network. Google funded a mobile laptop lab for their school last year.

The grant will fund operation and maintenance of the service for the city for the next three years. Techsico, a Tulsa-based company, will install and maintain the network. The wireless network will span approximately 13 square blocks.