Funding announcement brings high speed internet to NG

submitted by Jill Sturdy, Municipality of NG

On June 15, the federal government, in partnership with Ontario, announced funding to bring high speed internet to eastern Ontario – including North Grenville.

The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, federal Minister of Rural Economic Development, joined the Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, along with Goldie Ghamari, Member of Provincial Parliament for Carleton, to announce over $71 million in combined federal and provincial funding for Bell Canada and Cogeco to bring high speed internet access to more than 22,000 homes in 74 rural communities across eastern Ontario

“We are absolutely thrilled by this announcement which will help so many more of North Grenville’s residents and businesses attain high speed internet,” emphasized Mayor Nancy Peckford.

“We know how essential improved broadband is for work, business, entertainment, and to connect with friends and family. This announcement is a crucial next step for thousands of North Grenville residents,” added Mayor Peckford.

North Grenville is part of the group of communities that will receive up to $13,700,000 that will see over 6,000 homes and businesses with increased access to high speed internet.

Bell Canada has been awarded funding to build a fibre broadband infrastructure network in North Grenville. Permits are being issued.

Mayor Peckford and municipal staff have been working on actioning the strategic priorities identified in the Broadband Study, including investigating best practices for partnerships with ISPs, meeting with ISPs to better determine their needs, providing letters of support for funding, informing residents about community builds, and bettering communications regarding broadband initiatives.

Residents who wish to run speed tests are encouraged to use the following website: https://performance.cira.ca/. This information is used by the federal government to inform mapping and funding decisions.

Quick Facts:

Ontario launched a new interactive online map that shows where provincially funded high speed internet projects are planned, are currently under way or have been recently completed in communities across the Province. Ontarians can use the map to search by address, community or municipality, learn about projects happening in their area, and find out where high speed internet service is currently available.

In 2022, Xplore was awarded funding to build broadband infrastructure in North Grenville. Permits are being issued.

Rogers announced a community build in October 2021 and permits are being issued.

Update

Municipal Office Hours

The Municipal office is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Visit our events calendar to find out what’s happening in the community: www.northgrenville.ca/events

Sign-up to receive Mayor Peckford’s e-newsletter at: northgrenville.ca/connect.

Upcoming Meetings Council Meetings

Please see the Council agenda for further details on how to participate in Council meetings. All Council meetings will be live streamed on YouTube at: youtube.com/user/NorthGrenville/featured and on the Municipality’s website at: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings.

To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please provide your comments no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting to clerk@northgrenville.on.ca Council agendas are available at: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings.

• Friday, June 30, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Closed Session) – Catered

Affairs

• Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. (Open Session) – Bishop’s Mills Hall, Bishop’s Mills

• Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. (Open Session) – Council Chambers

• Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. (Open Session) – Burritt’s Rapids Community Hall, Burritt’s Rapids

Committee Meetings

Committees may be meeting in-person or virtually. Please see the Committee agenda for details on how to attend. Agendas can be found on the Municipal website at www. northgrenville.ca/meetings

• Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee – Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.

• Agriculture and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee – Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 4:15 p.m.

• Housing Advisory Committee – Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.

Volunteer And Employment Opportunities

Municipal Clerk

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill the position of Municipal Clerk in the Corporate Services Department. For a full list of available positions and information on how to apply, please visit www.northgrenville.ca/careers. Please submit applications to hr@northgrenville.on.ca by 4:00 p.m. Thursday, June 29th, 2023.

Advisory Committees

The Municipality continues to accept applications for members to various advisory committees. Join the conversation regarding the community!

Visit northgrenville.ca/committees for more information on how to apply. For questions, please contact the Clerk by email at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca or by telephone at 613-2589569 ext 171

Tax Bills

All 2023 final tax bills have been mailed. If you have not received your bill, please contact the Municipal Office at 613-258-9569. The due dates are June 30 and September 29. Payments can be made in person by cash or debit. Credit card is available only when paying online through the North Grenville website.

NORTH GRENVILLE IN BLOOM

North Grenville is participating in Communities in Bloom, which is a non-profit organization that aims to improve the aesthetic appeal of communities across Ontario. North Grenville is looking for residents and businesses to participate by sharing photos and details of their blooms. We will be putting together a profile book and tour of the community for the judges visiting the second week of August.

If you’re interested in taking part in the initiative, including contributing to the profile book, tour, or submitting your beautiful photos of local gardens and landscapes, visit the North Grenville in Bloom project page on northgrenville.ca/projects. For more information, contact vision@ northgrenville.on.ca.

The Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Rd. 44, PO Box 130 , Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca www.NorthGrenville.ca

Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441

Fire Services Info: 613-258-9569 x201

Fax: 613-258-1031

By-Law Services: email: bylawinquiries@northgrenville.on.ca

613-258-9569 x211

Police Administration: 613-258-3441

Animal Control: 613-862-9002