DUBUQUE, Iowa (KWWL) - The City of Dubuque and ImOn Communications are teaming up to create more community internet access.

ImOn Communications has established a public internet hotspot in downtown. Their tower is located at the top of the Chamber of Commerce Building on Main St. and Third St.

Lisa Rhatigan, Vice President of Marketing for ImOn Communications, anyone will be able to have access to their hotspot within the downtown area.

"So what we are trying to do, since we already do this in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City as well in all three of our markets, is to establish free wifi where people can safely, while still doing social distancing, access the internet," said Rhatigan.

The City has set aside $100,000 of their $650,000 federal stimulus grant to expand services across the city. Alexis Steger, Director of Housing and Community Development for the city, said sometimes certain building materials or locations can pose a problem for those trying to use the internet.

"It's also going to help connect maybe areas with a single connection or or maybe the home is older so the connection is a lower speed, it's going to help with upgrading that infrastructure," said Steger.

Steger said she hopes this project will build a bridge across the internet access gap within the city.

"If it's too slow and your on Zoom and the connection disappears or your voice over isn't working, then you don;t have the same experience as the kid down the street who maybe has a higher speed and now they're able to chat with their friends in class," said Steger.

Dubuque City Council will host a public hearing on the proposed plan May 4th.