Wellington, Middlesex counties receive broadband funding
The federal and provincial governments have committed more than $4.1 million in funding for projects to deliver broadband internet service in two southwestern Ontario communities.
In Middlesex County, the governments have pledged $2.8 million toward a project valued at $5.5 million that will connect more than 590 homes and businesses to broadband service.
The new network will cover the county’s Christina, Longwood, Mayfair, Middlemiss and Muncey communities, with construction set to begin this month, and service to start in December 2022.
“The signing of the final contract for the construction of broadband infrastructure in the communities of Christina, Longwood, Mayfair, Middlemiss and Muncey will help businesses to expand, create new job opportunities and connect more people to the services and information they need,” said Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman.
Meanwhile, in Wellington County, the governments have committed to $1.3 million in funding for a similar project that connected 270 households and businesses to broadband service.
Construction of a $2-million network project is now complete, and serves people and businesses in Wellington County’s Yatton, Creek Bank, and Goldstone communities.
Both governments committed over $655,000 to fund the broadband network expansion.
“I have been a long-time advocate for universal internet access and through this investment, I am happy to see that we are one step closer to achieving this goal,” said Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield. “I am proud of the work our government has done to work towards our goal of ensuring all Canadian homes and businesses across Canada are connected and have access to high-speed internet.”
The contracts to expand fibre-optic broadband services in the two counties were awarded by Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc., a not-for-profit corporation initiated by local municipalities to address connectivity in Southwestern Ontario.
To date, more than 3,190 households and businesses in Southwestern Ontario have received access to improved broadband through SWIFT.
“At a time when access to high-speed internet is more important than ever, we are proud to be working alongside the governments of Ontario and Canada to bring greater connectivity to Southwestern Ontario,” said Gary McNamara, SWIFT Board Chair.