Strategic Rural Towns Wi-Fi Carmarthenshire pilot initiative | Cynllun peilot Wi-Fi Trefi Gwledig Strategol Sir Gaerfyrddin

Strategic Rural Towns Wi-Fi Carmarthenshire pilot initiative

A PILOT Wi-Fi initiative is set to boost connectivity and drive economic regeneration in the communities of Ammanford, Burry Port, Carmarthen, Llandovery, St Clears and Whitland.

Carmarthenshire County Council, on behalf of the Grŵp Cefn Gwlad Local Action Group has been successful in securing funding up to the value of £120,000 from the LEADER scheme, with additional contributions being made by the county council and the participating rural towns.

This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.  This initiative is expected to help promote the Carmarthenshire towns with time and location-based promotions that will enhance and promote Carmarthenshire as a place to visit.

Town councils, businesses, organisations and individuals will be able to access digital on-line resources to support digital development.

The initiative incorporates a Wi-Fi local support package which encourages use of the data generated by the Wi-Fi to further develop, promote and market the key Carmarthenshire towns.

Digital champions will also be created in each town, with opportunities for new jobs, apprenticeships, work placements and ‘digital volunteers’.

Lesley Griffiths, AM, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, said: “The LEADER scheme is an excellent way to pilot ideas within a local area. I am delighted to support this Wi-Fi initiative which aims to encourage visitors and help business in these key Carmarthenshire towns.”

Cllr Cefin Campbell, executive board member for rural affairs, said: “We expect the scheme to drive economic regeneration and digital inclusion across rural parts of Carmarthenshire which will help put the county on the digital map alongside many other key visitor attraction towns across Wales.

“We also hope that it will act as a catalyst to drive improvements in rural high speed broadband, by promoting digital take-up and new employment opportunities.”

This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.