High-Speed Internet Coming To Essex County

McGuinty Government Partners On Local Infrastructure Project

Ontario is helping Essex County bring high-speed Internet to residents and businesses.

The county is one of 14 Ontario municipalities moving forward with plans to build local broadband infrastructure in partnership with the provincial government. The province is providing Essex County with $1 million for this project, through the Rural Connections Broadband Program.

The county plans to partner with an Internet Service Provider to build the infrastructure and contribute to the project.

The province's Rural Connections Broadband Program helps 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 underserved in southern Ontario.

QUOTES

"Since 2007, Ontario has been filling in the rural broadband gaps. I am delighted that Essex County is part of this strategic move. Broadband Internet connects rural families and businesses with opportunities in commerce, health, education and community enrichment."
- Bruce Crozier, MPP for Essex.

"This is a giant leap forward for the people of Essex County. We have worked diligently to come up with an infrastructure strategy that will provide broadband connectivity to more of our residents and advance our county."
- Warden Nelson Santos

QUICK FACTS

• Today's announcement of 14 new, rural broadband projects brings the total to 47 in less than two years.
• Essex County collaborated on this proposal with the municipalities of Amherstburg, Essex, Kingsville, Lakeshore, LaSalle, Leamington, Tecumseh, Windsor and the Township of Pelee.
• Broadband connectivity delivers more Internet information at speeds far greater than dial-up service.
• In the fall of 2007, 18 projects marked the first wave of broadband infrastructure projects undertaken jointly by rural municipalities and the province. In November 2008, 15 new projects were launched.

LEARN MORE

About the Rural Connections Broadband Program.

For more information, contact:

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

For information about the Essex project:
Brian Gregg, CAO, County of Essex, 519-776-6441