High-Speed Internet Coming To Prescott and Russell

McGuinty Government Partners On Local Infrastructure Project

Ontario is helping the United Counties of Prescott and Russell bring high-speed Internet to residents and businesses.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell are one of 14 Ontario municipalities moving forward with plans to build local broadband infrastructure in partnership with the provincial government. The province is providing Prescott and Russell with $898,610 for this project, through the Rural Connections Broadband Program.

The counties plan 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 the United Counties of Prescott and Russell are part of this strategic move. Broadband Internet connects rural families and businesses with opportunities in commerce, health, education and community enrichment."
- Jean-Marc Lalonde, MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell

"This is a giant leap forward for the people of the counties. We have worked diligently to come up with an infrastructure strategy that will provide broadband connectivity to most of our residents and advance our united counties."
- Warden Robert Kirby

QUICK FACTS

• Today's announcement of 14 new, rural broadband projects brings the total to 47 in less than two years.
• The United Counties of Prescott and Russell collaborated on this proposal with the Townships of Alfred and Plantagenet, Champlain, East Hawkesbury and Russell and the municipalities of Casselman, Clarence-Rockland, Nation and Hawkesbury.
• 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 Prescott and Russell project contact:
Stephane Parisien, CAO, United Counties of Prescott and Russell, 613-675-4661