Essex, Wellington and Lambton counties launch broadband projects
Nearly 1,400 homes and businesses in southwest Ontario are on their way to improved internet connectivity.
The federal and provincial governments committed nearly $2 million to projects in Essex County, Wellington County and Lambton County to support the construction of broadband infrastructure in rural, remote and underserved areas.
Construction of the infrastructure network in the community of Lighthouse Cove in Essex County is now underway, with service expected to start in October 2021. The project is valued at $2.1 million and will deliver reliable internet access to more than 540 homes and businesses.
Meanwhile, in Wellington County, the governments have committed a combined $534,000 to support a similar project. Construction in Eden Mills is underway, with service scheduled to start in August 2021. This project is valued at $976,000 and will deliver improved internet access to more than 280 homes and businesses.
Finally, the governments announced funding of $770,000 to support broadband network connectivity in the communities of Wanstead, Rokeby, Walnut and Sutorville. The $6-million project will connect more than 570 homes and businesses to broadband services.
The contracts to expand fibre-optic broadband services in the communities 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.
“Access to reliable high-speed Internet is critical for families and businesses, and the challenge of not having good quality internet service has been amplified during the pandemic,” said Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk. “Through strategic investments and collaboration with community partners, our government is committed to connecting families in Southwestern Ontario so they can stay in touch with loved ones, work or study from home, and access essential services.”
In a separate statement, the federal government announced that it would invest nearly $1 million in funding to nearly 4,600 rural Ontario communities. The funding is being provided through the government’s $2.75-billion Universal Broadband Fund.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has proven that reliable, high-speed Internet access is a necessity, not a luxury,” said Whitby MP Ryan Turnbull. “This investment will bring Internet access to more than 4000 households across rural areas in Durham, including in Brooklin, Myrtle, Ashburn and the Macedonian Village in Whitby. This high-speed Internet access announcement means more families in our communities will be better supported to work, study and access other essential services from home."