Construction completed on Waterloo Region broadband projects
Construction is now complete on a project that will deliver broadband infrastructure service to 470 families, farms and businesses in Waterloo Region.
The project was delivered by the federal and provincial governments in partnership with Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc., a not-for-profit corporation created by local municipalities to address connectivity in Southwestern Ontario.
“Access to high-speed internet is essential to allow Canadians in rural communities to continue to grow and prosper in our increasingly connected world,” said Cambridge MP Bryan May. “Completion of this broadband infrastructure allows hundreds of residents in the Waterloo Region to access reliable, modern, high-speed internet services for online classes, virtual doctor visits, e-commerce businesses and many more online activities.”
The federal and provincial governments committed more than $429,000 each to the project, which sees enhanced connectivity delivered to 90 families, farms and businesses in the Township of Woolwich, and more than 120 families, farms and businesses in the community of Haysville.
Both governments also supported the construction of an infrastructure network to provide more than 250 families, farms and businesses in the communities of Orr’s Lake and Clyde with access to high-speed internet service. Their combined investment was more than $430,000.
“Our government continues to show leadership in prioritizing critical infrastructure projects to support rural communities across Ontario and here in Waterloo Region,” said Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris. “The residents and businesses in Woolwich Township will benefit directly from access to better broadband services through the SWIFT program. Whether kids can get their homework done, adults can access job opportunities that allow work from home, or families can stream the latest season of a hit show on Netflix, this expansion will improve everyone’s productivity and well-being.”
The completion of these projects brings Ontario one step closer to delivering on its commitment to bring access to high-speed internet to every community by 2025, while also building stronger rural communities and laying the foundation for long-term economic growth.
To date, SWIFT has awarded more than $255 million of federal and provincial funding to high-speed internet to more than 63,000 households and businesses in Southwestern Ontario.