OTTAWA – The federal government today announced close to $2.2 million in funding which will connect 310 underserved households to high-speed Internet in the Niagara region, as well as the small southwestern Ontario communities of Rothsay and Drayton.
The Niagara Regional Broadband Network will do the builds in its region and Mornington Communications Co-operative will extend its network to the two above villages, which are approximately 50 kms north of Kitchener-Waterloo. The projects are to be completed before the end of 2021.
The funds come from the $150 million rapid response stream which is part of the $1.75-billion Universal Broadband Fund launched in late 2020. To facilitate applications for small projects like these ones being built by smaller companies, the UBF provides a pathfinder, or concierge, service for applicants, “particularly for those who need more support to build partnerships, find potential sources of funding and navigate the application process,” reads today’s press release.
“These investments will help provide access to reliable high-speed Internet at a time when connectivity is essential to good quality of life,” said Geoff Heinen, president of the Niagara Regional Broadband Network in the press release.
The NRBN will complete two projects extending services to 120 households and will get $269,000 from the fund to while the Mornington project has been granted $1.9 million to reach 190 homes and businesses.
“One of Mornington’s core principles is to connect the underserved, which aligns perfectly with the UBF rapid response stream. Once this project is complete, working from home will become practical and smart agriculture will become more efficient,” added Ken Naylor, Mornington’s general manager (above, screen-capped during the press conference).
Applications to the Universal Broadband Fund, which now number well into the hundreds, said Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, are being accepted until 3:00 p.m. (ET) on February 15, 2021.
