For Immediate Release
June 6, 2007
McGuinty Government Connecting Rural Communities
Ontario Municipal Rural Broadband Partnership
Program
Invites Applications From Rural Municipalities In Southern Ontario
QUEEN'S PARK - The McGuinty government announced
today that it is now accepting applications for Rural Connections
…The Ontario Municipal Rural Broadband Partnership Program.
"The expansion of broadband technology in rural Southern Ontario
is a priority for our government," said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister
of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "With this funding,
a significant number of rural municipalities will be able to build
broadband networks that will improve the lives of their citizens
and their local economies."
The $10 million program was announced in the 2007 Ontario Budget
and is targeted toward rural municipalities in Southern Ontario
that are ready to build and sustain broadband capability in their
communities. Rural Connections …The Ontario Municipal Rural
Broadband Partnership Program is led by the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, together with the Ministry
of Government Services and the Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
"The funding will focus not only on the construction of broadband
infrastructure but also on community outreach and sustainability
efforts, to ensure what is built today can be maintained for years
to come," said Gerry Phillips, Minister of Government Services.
The Ontario government will fund up to one third of the cost of
qualifying broadband projects up to a maximum of $1 million. The
remainder of the funding will come from the municipalities and their
project partners.
"This investment in broadband infrastructure in rural Southern
Ontario will give small and medium-sized businesses the ability
to grow and compete in markets around the world, as well as foster
entrepreneurship and innovation in rural communities," said
Harinder Takhar, Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
"We are very pleased that the Government of Ontario is making
this important investment in rural municipalities," said Doug
Reycraft, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
"Provincial funding that connects rural communities with a
changing economy is an investment in opportunity and prosperity
that benefits all Ontarians."
For more information and application documents, interested municipalities
can visit www.ontario.ca/rural
or call 1-888-588-4111. Applications are due no later than 5 p.m.,
July 13, 2007.
This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians
have achieved results in rural Ontario. Other examples include:
Backgrounder
RURAL CONNECTIONS …THE ONTARIO MUNICIPAL RURAL
BROADBAND PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Rural Connections …The Ontario Municipal Rural Broadband Partnership
Program is a one-time initiative designed to reduce broadband infrastructure
gaps in southern Ontario.
Broadband, also known as high-speed Internet, combines telecommunications
infrastructure and service, allowing end-users to use the Internet
for recreation and commerce at speeds far greater than traditional
dial-up service allows.
Rural municipalities in southern Ontario that meet the eligibility
requirements can apply for provincial funding individually - or
jointly with other municipalities through one lead applicant - for
up to one third of eligible approved project costs to a maximum
of $1 million. Municipalities, telecommunication providers, and
other private partners must contribute the balance of the project
costs.
The program requires that municipalities demonstrate that they
are working in partnership with community stakeholders and other
partners to develop and implement a plan from a county or regional
perspective that is designed to reduce broadband gaps.
Rural Connections …The Ontario Municipal Rural Broadband Partnership
Program is a time-limited initiative. To be selected for funding,
applicants must demonstrate a readiness and ability to begin
implementation and incur all project expenses by March 31,
2008.
Once projects have been selected, approved projects will develop
detailed business and technical plans, including the selection of
a telecommunications service provider through an open and transparent
tendering process. Selected projects will be assisted in preparing
their business and technical plans through Local Support Teams.
Selected projects will begin infrastructure implementation as soon
as possible and no later than October 15, 2007.
Selected projects must also include a plan for long-term sustainability
that addresses such components as uptake and utilization of the
new infrastructure by residents, businesses and the community at
large.
Objectives and Priorities
