Eastern and southern Ontario rural communities will get more broadband access as part of $6.2 billion+ package of new infrastructure investments signed July 24 by the two governments. Officials will work with rural communities in those regions to identify potential projects to expand broadband coverage.
The deal, the Canada-Ontario Framework Agreement, will be administered by Building Canada, the federal government’s long-term infrastructure plan. It also includes road and transit investments that will help urban as well as rural employees access their workplaces.
Ontario is seeking the first group of local government applicants for rural broadband project funding under Rural Connections, a $30 million four-year rural broadband initiative launched in March 2008 that is aimed at the southern part of the province. The deadline for the first intake of applications is Sept. 18, 2008.There will be a second intake, the documentation for which is due Feb.12, 2009.
The province will contribute up to one-third of eligible costs, up to $1 million per application. Municipalities are responsible for securing the remaining share of the eligible costs from their own resources and/or from partner contributions.
Local members of parliament (MPs) were thrilled with the July 24 federal-provincial announcement.
Daryl Kramp, who represents the Belleville, Ontario area, told a radio station there that he has been working on the rural broadband brief and was glad to see it happen.
Guy Lauzon, whose district is in eastern Ontario, believes expanded rural broadband will have a positive impact on the communities in his area, which includes Cornwall.
“In this age of e-business and e-health, providing and expanding broadband services to rural communities in southern and eastern Ontario are key to ensuring the long-term health and prosperity of these communities and their residents,” says Lauzon.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Brendan B. Read
Quelle/Source: TMCnet, 25.07.2008
