Broadbent internet coming to rural areas

TILBURY- The provincial and federal governments have announced a commitment to an improved, modern broadband network in Southwestern Ontario.

On Friday, October 30, a media conference was held in Tilbury to make the announcement. The province announced that all contracts are signed in Essex County through the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) project, ensuring that construction of more than $19 million in broadband infrastructure will now move forward. When complete, these projects will connect approximately 5,173 more homes and businesses in the area to fast, reliable internet.

The contracts to expand highspeed fibre-optic broadband services in Essex County were awarded by Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc, a not-for-profit corporation initiated by local municipalities to address connectivity in Southwestern Ontario.

“Access to reliable high-speed internet is critical for families and businesses, and the challenge of not having good quality internet service has been amplified during the pandemic,” said Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for Windsor-Tecumseh, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development. “Through our investments and collaboration with community partners, our government is connecting families in Southwestern Ontario so they can stay in touch with their loved ones, work or study from home and access essential services.”

“Thanks to the funding provided by the Government of Ontario, thousands of residences within my riding will be getting access to much needed high-speed internet,” said Rick Nicholls, MPP for Chatham-Kent—Leamington.

The federal and provincial governments are each contributing more than $63 million to SWIFT through the New Building Canada Fund’s Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – Small Communities Fund of the Investing in Canada plan.