Is Wireless Internet and Soccer Tieton's Best Hope?
TIETON -- The promise of Wi-Fi and soccer go a long way in Tieton.
Maria Silva is waiting and watching. Much like Tieton's streets, her shop is empty.
"It's just dropping," she says. "No one's coming in... it's really slow."
But with the click of a mouse, Silva's days could soon pick up. With $450,000 in federal stimulus money, Tieton officials hope to bring Wi-Fi internet to town. The advantages are three-fold: It would allow local businesses to advertise more often; it would keep more people from leaving town; and it would help area schools.
According to Tieton's mayor, only 24 percent of computers in the school district receive adequate internet connection.
Plans are still being worked out, but a deal for Wi-Fi could be in place by September. In the meantime, a vacant lot is also giving people hope. It will be transformed into Tieton's one and only soccer field.
"You start small and you gradually work your way up the ladder... and that's what we're doing here," Mayor Stan Hall tells Action News.
Hall ultimately hopes to have an official soccer team in Tieton; one that could put some money back into the economy and give Silva more customers. It may take a while, but all her "waiting" could soon pay off.
Maria Silva is waiting and watching. Much like Tieton's streets, her shop is empty.
"It's just dropping," she says. "No one's coming in... it's really slow."
But with the click of a mouse, Silva's days could soon pick up. With $450,000 in federal stimulus money, Tieton officials hope to bring Wi-Fi internet to town. The advantages are three-fold: It would allow local businesses to advertise more often; it would keep more people from leaving town; and it would help area schools.
According to Tieton's mayor, only 24 percent of computers in the school district receive adequate internet connection.
Plans are still being worked out, but a deal for Wi-Fi could be in place by September. In the meantime, a vacant lot is also giving people hope. It will be transformed into Tieton's one and only soccer field.
"You start small and you gradually work your way up the ladder... and that's what we're doing here," Mayor Stan Hall tells Action News.
Hall ultimately hopes to have an official soccer team in Tieton; one that could put some money back into the economy and give Silva more customers. It may take a while, but all her "waiting" could soon pay off.
More to Explore
Learn about changes coming to commenting