The federal and provincial governments have announced a nearly $2-million investment to bring fibre-optic internet to rural areas in Elgin County.
On Friday, the province announced $1.68-million to begin the construction of broadband infrastructure that will increase access to faster internet to more than 1,100 homes, farms and businesses across the county.
“I know firsthand how important high-speed internet access is for farm families and businesses across Elgin County and rural Ontario,” said Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Rob Flack. “Our community will greatly benefit with the expansion of this high-speed internet project. I’m proud that our government is getting it done and building the critical infrastructure needed to build Ontario and support our residents here in Elgin County.”
Both the governments of Canada and Ontario are doling out over $616,000 for construction that will make high-speed internet service accessible to over 740 homes, farms and businesses in Tyrconnell, Duttona Beach, New Glasgow, Port Glasgow and Churchville, by the end of next month.
More than $1,070,000 is going towards additional infrastructure network in the county to provide access to high-speed internet service to 390 properties in Iona, Iona Station, Lawrence Station and Southwold by December.
The contracts to expand internet services in Elgin County were awarded by Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc., a not-for-profit corporation initiated by local municipalities to address connectivity in southwestern Ontario. Over $255-million has been invested by the feds, the province and the private sector, to bring high-speed internet to over 63,000 households and businesses in the region through SWIFT by the end of 2025.
“SWIFT is proud to partner with the federal and provincial governments as we mark the start of construction of two high-speed broadband infrastructure projects in Elgin County,” said SWIFT Board Chair Gary McNamara. “Once complete, the newly installed networks will provide many more residents with access to fast reliable connectivity and support greater economic growth for businesses throughout the region.”
The expansion is the largest single investment for high-speed internet in Canadian history, with nearly $4-billion being committed to bringing faster internet to every corner of Ontario by 2025.
