MIDDLESEX COUNTY and ELGIN COUNTY, Ontario — Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT), a rural broadband funding organization in Ontario, today issued two requests for proposals (RFPs) for broadband projects worth a combined $16.7 million.
The first RFP is for up to $10.6 million to increase access to high-speed Internet for residents in Middlesex County. The RFP was released March 27, 2020. Contracts will be awarded and service provider agreements will be put in place shortly after the RFP closes on November 6, says the news release.
The second RFP is for up to $6.1 million to improve and expand broadband infrastructure in Elgin County. The Elgin County RFP was released March 23, 2020, and the RFP closes on November 27, says the separate news release.
The Middlesex County RFP details are available here. The Elgin County RFP is available here.
Operating on a cost-sharing basis, SWIFT will leverage federal and provincial funding to subsidize up to a maximum of two-thirds of the eligible costs for awarded projects to deliver reliable Internet to more people living in Middlesex County and Elgin County, say the news releases.
“Our current reality has emphasized, more so than ever, the importance and need for greater connectivity across our region. That is why SWIFT, in partnership with the Government of Ontario and Canada, along with our municipal partners are pleased to announce that access to high-speed internet will soon be a reality for many more residents living in Middlesex County [and Elgin County],” said SWIFT board chair David Mayberry, in the news releases.
SWIFT is a non-profit regional broadband project initiated by the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus to subsidize the construction of high-speed broadband networks across Southwestern Ontario.
SWIFT is currently overseeing a $209 million Southwestern Ontario broadband expansion plan that will connect 22% of the region’s underserved premises over the next three years, says the news release.
The Government of Ontario and Canada have committed up to $63.7 million each to support SWIFT. The broadband expansion project also leverages additional funding from municipal partners and private sector investors.
