High-Speed Internet Coming To South Glengarry, South Stormont And South Dundas

The Townships South Glengarry, South Stormont and South Dundas are 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 for each local project. The South Glengarry project is eligible for $299,798 while the South Stormont and South Dundas project is eligible for $77,677.

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 Jim Brownell, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. "I am delighted that the Township of South Glengarry and the Townships of South Stormont and South Dundas brought forward successful proposals which show their commitment to community broadband expansion and to providing their citizens with the best technology possible."

"We are very pleased with the funding that we will be receiving as this money will allow our township to be 98 per cent served with broadband. With this $299,798 allocated through the Rural Connections Broadband Program and the $550,000 received in 2007 through an earlier provincial infrastructure program, a total of over $2,550,000 of private and provincial funding will have been invested in South Glengarry to ensure our residents and businesses have access to high speed internet," said Joanne Haley, General Manager, Township of South Glengarry.

"This connectivity project announcement is good news. It is important infrastructure that will assist the residents and businesses of South Stormont and South Dundas within Ault Island and the area north of the island," said South Stormont Mayor Bryan McGillis. "High speed Internet will help businesses within our communities which, in turn, creates jobs and provides the economic stimulus we need. The Township is continuing its efforts to secure high-speed connectivity for the remainder of the rural and remote areas of South Stormont."

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.
• The Township of South Stormont collaborated with the Township of South Dundas 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