MANITOBA – Westman Communications Group announced yesterday it has received over $5 million in government funding from the Universal Broadband Fund’s (UBF) rapid response stream to provide fibre-optic high-speed Internet to six Manitoba communities.
Westman will receive over $2 million from the UBF and will invest over $3 million itself to connect Sandy Lake and Onanole to high-speed Internet.
The company will also receive $3 million from the UBF and will contribute over $3 million to connect Benito, Bowsman, Birch River and Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation.
“Westman will enhance residential and commercial access to high-speed Internet in these communities by the end of 2021,” according to a press release.
“High speed Internet is essential to community growth and sustainability. As a local Manitoba Cooperative, we are dedicated to this initiative, and we would like to thank the Federal Government for their commitment as well,” said Dave Baxter, president and CEO of Westman.
Westman is a customer-owned cooperative that operates broadband systems in 46 communities in Manitoba.
