Bluewater Power will be expanding its business to provide internet services for commercial and institutional customers in Sarnia and Point Edward.
The City of Sarnia, the major shareholder, authorized the utility to pursue fibre network services at Monday's council meeting.
Bluewater Power President and CEO Janice McMichael-Dennis says they're forecasting returns of eight to 15 per cent.
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McMichael-Dennis told councillors its services will hopefully run complimentary to the SWIFT project, and will look into serving residential customers once a backbone is in place. She said it will cost approximately $40,000 per kilometre to build the network.
Sarnia council's authorization comes after Bill 112 recently passed in provincial legislation, allowing municipally owned electric utilities to expand business outside of energy distribution.
Councillors were also told Monday the business opportunities Bluewater Power pursues outside energy distribution will have no impact on electricity rates.
