GCET scopes out Weldon internet plans with $500K grant

Greenfield Community Energy and Technology (GCET) plans to use a nearly $500,000 grant to provide internet at The Weldon apartments on High Street in Greenfield.

Greenfield Community Energy and Technology (GCET) plans to use a nearly $500,000 grant to provide internet at The Weldon apartments on High Street in Greenfield. STAFF PHOTO/DOMENIC POLI

Greenfield Community Energy and Technology (GCET) plans to use a nearly $500,000 grant to provide internet at The Weldon apartments on High Street in Greenfield.

Greenfield Community Energy and Technology (GCET) plans to use a nearly $500,000 grant to provide internet at The Weldon apartments on High Street in Greenfield. STAFF PHOTO/DOMENIC POLI

By DOMENIC POLI

Staff Writer

Published: 12-29-2024 10:44 AM

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community Energy and Technology (GCET) anticipates providing internet to residents of The Weldon apartments on High Street within two or three years, thanks in part to the receipt of a nearly $500,000 grant.

GCET was awarded $499,519 through the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s Residential Retrofit Program, an initiative that works with housing operators and internet service providers to upgrade broadband infrastructure in public and affordable housing properties.

The Weldon apartments at 54 High St., owned by The Schochet Companies, consists of 105 units. John Lunt, GCET’s general manager, said fiber optics will be installed in every unit as well as the building’s public spaces.

“It’s a chance to advance digital equity to seniors in our community, which we think is really important,” he said. “Internet is a utility, just like water, sewer or electricity. It’s essential for modern life.”

Peter Lewis, The Schochet Companies’ executive vice president of property management, said The Weldon’s residents have been asking about getting internet through GCET for two or three years.

“It gives the residents an alternative to Xfinity/Comcast,” he explained. “They’ve been asking for this alternative for years.”

Although GCET recently announced that it would be raising its prices by about 5%, Lunt has said GCET prices will remain 30% to 35% lower than those of its competitors, Comcast and Verizon.

The $499,519 grant is part of nearly $6.33 million in awards to 3,512 affordable housing units across nine Massachusetts communities. MBI launched the Residential Retrofit Program in February. The funding comes from the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

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“Massachusetts is committed to delivering internet to every resident, especially for low-income residents and communities that have been historically overlooked,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a Dec. 17 statement announcing the grants. “These investments in state-of-the-art infrastructure will ensure affordable and public housing residents can fully participate in essential daily activities and our state’s economy. I’m grateful for the leadership of the Biden-Harris administration and our congressional delegation to deliver this essential funding to Massachusetts communities.”

Built in 1905 and designed by local architect William B. Reid, The Weldon was originally used as housing for a local metal and tools manufacturer, according to its website. It was eventually converted into a hotel known as one of the grandest destinations in the area, complete with numerous gatherings, balls and social events. The Weldon was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Two years later, it was converted to low-income elderly apartments.

The Weldon is part of the Retirement Housing Foundation, a national nonprofit.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.