High-Speed Internet Coming To Wellington County

McGuinty Government Partners On Local Infrastructure Project

Ontario is helping Wellington 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 Wellington 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 gaps in rural broadband coverage. I am delighted that Wellington County is now part of this strategic investment. Broadband Internet connects rural families and businesses with opportunities in commerce, health, education and community enrichment, both locally and around the world."
- John Wilkinson, MPP for Perth-Wellington.

"This is a giant leap forward for the people of Wellington County. We have worked diligently to come up with an infrastructure strategy that will provide broadband connectivity to most of our residents and advance our county. We are delighted to partner with the province on this important initiative."
- Warden Joanne Ross-Zui

QUICK FACTS

• Today's announcement of 14 new, rural broadband projects brings the total to 47 in less than two years.
• Wellington County collaborated on this proposal with the Townships of Centre Wellington, Guelph/Eramosa, Mapleton, Puslinch and Wellington North and the towns of Minto and Erin.
• 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 Wellington project:
Scott Wilson, CAO, County of Wellington, 519-837-2600