$3.5 million in federal and provincial government funding is coming to Grey Bruce for high-speed internet service.
That’s expected to bring fast, reliable high-speed internet to 2,570 families, farms and businesses in Grey and Bruce counties in partnership with Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc.
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Progressive Conservative MPP Rick Byers made the announcement Friday in Sauble Beach.
A release from Byers’ office explains, in Bruce County, both levels of government combined to put more than $770,000 to provide access to high-speed internet service to nearly 1,500 families, farms, and businesses in the communities of Sauble Beach and Sauble Beach North.
Byers says, “It’s a great ongoing intiative and a priority for our government to contnue to ensure every rural community is connected by 2025.”
He also notes, “Raising a family and living or working in a rural community should not limit anyone to receiving internet access,” adding, “I’m really pleased to see these projects in our communities as it will help connect many more businesses and residents to the high-speed internet they need. ”
In Grey County, access will be made available to more than 1,070 families, farms and businesses in the communities of Holstein, Varney, Orchardville, Maple Lane, Yeovil, Dromore, Tartan, Thistle and Bognor. Byers’ office says both governments combined to invest more than $2.7 million in these projects.
Byers’ office says, the contracts to expand broadband services in Grey and Bruce counties were awarded by Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc, a not-for-profit corporation initiated by local municipalities to address connectivity in Southwestern Ontario.
Huron Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, who is also Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs says in a statement, “I’m proud that our government continues to deliver on our commitment to expand access to high-speed internet in rural communities across the province,” adding, “Building this new broadband infrastructure in Grey and Bruce counties is going to help build rural Ontario and strengthen communities by helping people stay connected with loved ones and enable them to access supports they need. This critical infrastructure will have lasting benefits for our entire community.”