The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced an investment of more than C$3.8 million to bring high-speed internet service to 1,570 families, farms and businesses in Huron County.
“Building this new broadband infrastructure in Huron County is going to help build rural Ontario and strengthen communities by helping people stay connected with loved ones and enabling them to access supports they need. This critical infrastructure will have lasting benefits for our entire community.” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and MPP for Huron
The government is partnering with regional broadband project Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc., a not-for-profit corporation initiated by local municipalities to address connectivity in Southwestern Ontario, to expedite this development.
SWIFT is currently providing high-speed internet service to more than 1,090 families, farms and businesses in the communities of Summerhill, Henfryn, Thames Road, Lumley, Hurondale, Wroxeter, Gorrie and Fordwich. The two levels of government have committed a total of nearly C$1.6 million to these projects.
Additionally, the governments invested more than C$676,000 to support construction of infrastructure networks in Huron County to provide internet service to more than 170 families, farms, and businesses in the community of Marnoch.
Three hundred and ten homes and businesses in the rural areas near Blue Water Beach and south of the community of Benmiller will also benefit from high-speed internet service by June 2023, via the supported investments of Huron County.
So far, the governments of Canada and Ontario, and the private sector, have invested more than C$255 million in a commitment to bring high-speed internet to more than 63,000 households and businesses in Southwestern Ontario, through SWIFT, by the end of 2025.
