High-Speed Internet Coming To Frontenac County

Frontenac County is among 15 successful municipalities moving forward with plans to build local broadband infrastructure thanks to a partnership with the Ontario government.

The Rural Connections Broadband Program provides funding to help rural municipalities build high-speed Internet projects in their communities. The program's goal is to bring broadband access to rural and remote areas currently under-serviced in southern Ontario.

The province will provide funding for one-third of the approved eligible costs of the project. The Frontenac project is eligible for $789,078.

Broadband combines telecommunications infrastructure and service to deliver more Internet information at speeds far greater than dial-up service.

QUOTES

"This announcement will give our businesses, students and teachers, healthcare professionals and citizens the hi-tech tools they need to succeed and do business," said John Gerretsen, MPP for Kingston and the Islands. "I am delighted that the County of Frontenac and its municipal partners brought forward a successful proposal which shows their commitment to community broadband expansion and to providing their citizens with the best technology possible."

"We are turning miles into milliseconds with the announcement of 15 broadband projects today and the promise of more to come," said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "Broadband infrastructure is essential to rural Ontario's opportunities and prosperity."

"We put forward a collaborative Internet strategy which will put Frontenac on a strong communications footing," said Jim Vanden Hoek, Warden of the County of Frontenac. "This news today helps us build a digital highway to a significant number of residents and businesses in the county."

QUICK FACTS

• Today's announcement of 15 new broadband projects amounts to a provincial commitment of $8.8 million. In the next four years, the Ontario government will invest up to $30 million in rural partnerships that will build rural Ontario's broadband infrastructure.
• Frontenac County collaborated with the Townships of Frontenac Islands, South Frontenac and Central Frontenac on this project.
• In 2007, 18 projects marked the first wave of broadband infrastructure undertaken jointly by rural municipalities and the province. Thanks to the province's strategy, today's announcement brings the total to 33 projects.
  

LEARN MORE

About the Rural Connections Broadband Program

For more information, contact:

Sherry Persaud, Minister Dombrowsky's Office, 416-326-6439
Brent Ross, Communications Branch, 416-326-9342