Benson will celebrate its 131st birthday this year. There’s a lot of history encapsulated in the small Johnston County town and nothing reflects that better than its downtown — a quaint stretch of storefronts beginning with the Mary Duncan Public Library and ending at the Singing Grove.
Many of the buildings in this historic district were constructed within 50 years of the town’s official charter in 1887 and it shows. Benson’s downtown has long been praised for its well maintained facades and the bustling nature of its Main Street.
Much like when the first telephone lines were strung throughout town, Benson will mark another milestone for the community this month — and it starts in downtown.
On January 23rd, the town will host a “cord cutting” ceremony to celebrate its implementation of downtown WiFi — providing free wireless internet access to visitors and residents while they’re dining, shopping, and conducting business downtown.
Everyone is invited. Local officials, town staff, and area representatives will be present — including NC House Rep. Larry Strickland, who helped Benson secure the $20,000 Downtown Revitalization grant to make the project possible.
As the internet continues to play a key role in how people conduct their daily lives, free WiFi available in community hotspot has become a standard for thriving towns. Now, Benson joins those communities in offering such a service.
“We’ve already seen people using it,” said Benson Town Manager Matt Zapp. “It’s awesome to be able to provide fast, free internet access while people are enjoying their time downtown.”
It is fast. Take a trip to downtown Benson and see for yourself. You’re not going to miss an important email while spending time in your favorite shop or while getting lunch.
Go ahead, kick back at the table and stream the game, listen to music, or surf the web — Benson has got you covered.
Logging on couldn’t be easier. With your device of choice — laptop, tablet, or phone — open your WiFi Networks menu and select “Benson WiFi.” You will be greeted with a screen prompting you to agree with the terms of use. Click agree and that’s it. You’re on!
“Everywhere you go these days, places are offering wireless internet as a convenience,” explained Benson Mayor Jerry Medlin. “I think this shows just how much thought Benson is putting into its future growth and the needs and wants of its citizens and visitors.”
As a way of highlighting this technological progress, the town will host its “cord cutting” (like a ribbon cutting, but with ethernet cable) at the Benson Museum of Local History on Wednesday, Jan. 23rd. The ceremony will begin at 1:30pm. Come out, log on, and say hello!
