Funding from the federal and provincial governments will make high-speed internet access possible for some Essex County residents.
Ottawa and Queens Park have invested a total of $5.3-million to create internet access for 3,587 homes, businesses, and farms in the county.
Both levels of government have teamed up with Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) to bring broadband service to Edgars, Gesto, Marshfield, Pleasant Valley, Arner, East Harrow, Ambassador Beach, Levergood Beach, Belcreft Beach, Comet, Seymour Beach, Lypps Beach, Mount Carmel, Wigle, Blytheswood, Oakland, and Staples.
"In an increasingly digital age, investments toward reliable high-speed internet such as the one made into the project being celebrated today are also investments into the well-being of Canadians today and for generations to come," said Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk, the parliamentary secretary for the Ministry of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages.
Essex MPP Anthony Leardi agreed that connection in this day and age is vital.
"Bringing high-speed internet to underserved areas in Essex County is an investment that will bring new opportunities, allow families to connect, help students finish their homework, and create potential for growth," said Leardi. "I am very pleased our government is expanding high-speed internet throughout rural Ontario."
Ontario is working toward bringing broadband to the entire province by 2025, investing a total of $4-billion.
The federal and provincial governments have invested $255-million to connect 63,000 people in Essex County through the end of this year.
