OLYMPIA — Free public Wi-Fi hotspots have been added throughout Grant and Adams counties, and around the state, as part of a project to improve access to high-speed internet.

Most are drive-in locations, according to information from the Washington Department of Commerce. Some also have indoor public access.

It’s part of an ongoing effort to add access to high-speed internet to locations that might not have it. High-speed connectivity became even more important with the outbreak of COVID-19, which reduced the options available for some rural and urban residents, according to information from Grant County PUD.

Each hotspot will have its own security protocol, and some will have additional security conforming to standards included in the Children’s Internet Security Protection Act.

The signals reach about 750 feet, according to Grant PUD press release. The locations were chosen because they had adequate parking or open space. They can be found by searching for the “homeworkpub” network.

Many are located at libraries throughout the region. Grant County hotspots include libraries at: Moses Lake, 418 E. Fifth Ave.; Ephrata, 45 Alder St. NW; Quincy, 208 Central Ave. S.; Warden, 305 E. Main St.; Soap Lake, 32 E. Main St.; Royal City, 136 Camelia St. NW; Mattawa, 101 Manson Lane; George, 109 N. Washington Way; Coulee City, 405 W. Main St.; and Grand Coulee, 225 Federal St.

In Adams County, hotspots are available at the Ritzville library, 302 W. Main Ave., and the Othello library, 101 E. Main St.

Others are available at the Wilson Creek city park, Railroad Avenue in Wilson Creek, and Soap Lake’s East Beach Park, 301 Daisy St. N. Hotspots can also be found at the Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District office near Royal City, 11522 First Ave. SE and the Port of Mattawa office, 20140 Road 24 SW, Suite G.

Quincy Middle School, 16 Sixth Ave. SE, and the Almira/Coulee-Hartline school district building called the Brick House, 312 E. Main St. in Coulee City, are hosting hotspots. Others are located at the Warden Community Center, 114 N. Oak St., the George Community Hall at 403 W. Montmorency Blvd., and the Ephrata Recycling Center behind the Ephrata Armory, 426 A St. SE.

The project is a partnership of public agencies, non-profit organizations and private businesses.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].