HEARST, Ont. — The government of Canada announced today $763,000 from its Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) rapid response stream is being invested to help bring high-speed Internet to 373 households in the northern Ontario community of Hearst.
The municipality of Hearst is also contributing approximately $190,000 to the fibre-to-the-home project, according to Marc Serré (above left), member of parliament for Nickel Belt, who spoke during a press conference this morning.
Hearst Connect Corporation, which is owned by the town of Hearst, is building the network. According to Tania Cossette (above right), Hearst Connect’s general manager, the company has been working on the project for a couple of months and expects it to be finished by the end of the year.
“Hearst Connect is very grateful for this federal funding under the Universal Broadband Fund, which will help us expand our fibre-to-the-home network to over 350 households and businesses in Hearst, Ontario,” Cossette said in a government press release.
“Reliable and ultra-fast Internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Hearst Connect would like to thank the Government of Canada for its commitment to improving broadband services for rural and remote communities, as well as the residents of Hearst and its surroundings for their continued support for Hearst Connect,” Cossette said.
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Image of Serré, Cossette and Hearst Mayor Roger Sigouin from this morning’s virtual press conference provided by the Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development.
