From 2004–2006, the Marshfield Plainfield Broadband Internet Project was a volunteer community group organized to bring high-speed Internet service to the two communities. Its goal was a fast, affordable, and reliable Internet for anyone who wanted it. The group formed because larger telecommunications companies refused to provide this service to rural areas of Plainfield and Marshfield. They operated under the authority of the selectboards in both towns and did not rely on local tax dollars. Here’s a list of former group members:

Bob Barasch (Plainfield)
Michael Birnbaum (Plainfield)
Mike Fritz (Marshfield)
Jack Hoffman (Marshfield)
Sarah O’Brien (Plainfield)
Bryan Pfeiffer (Plainfield)
Brian Tyrol (Marshfield)
Neil Hogan (Plainfield)

The group’s search for a provider gave rise to the creation of Cloud Alliance. In a competitive bidding process, the group selected Cloud Alliance over other applying providers to provide wireless Internet service to the two communities. Similar groups in East Montpelier and Calais, after conducting their own research, followed the Marshfield Plainfield Broadband Internet Project’s lead by also selecting Cloud Alliance as “Provider of Choice.” Each of these groups received guidance and technical support from Al and Laura Duey of the Vermont Council on Rural Development.