High-speed internet coming to rural Leamington

Residents of south Leamington’s most rural areas will get a much-needed and long-awaited boost in their internet service in the coming months.

The federal and provincial governments are investing $392,000 locally to increase access to fast, reliable internet service to more than 480 homes in the Point Pelee Drive, Seacliff Drive, Road B, C, D and E, as well as Marentette Beach.

In partnership with Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology Inc. (SWIFT), the completion of the project should occur in December of this year.

Chatham-Kent Leamington MPP Trevor Jones, who is also the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, made the announcement on Friday, October 7 at Freddy’s Restaurant on Point Pelee Drive.

“Today is an important day for many residents and businesses in Leamington, who can finally get enhanced broadband internet service,” said Jones. “We recognize the valuable role that rural communities play in our province.”

The contract has been awarded to SWIFT, which is a not-for-profit corporation initiated by local municipalities to address connectivity in Southwestern Ontario.

The local initiative is part of a $63 million investment by both upper levels of government to bring highspeed internet to nearly 280,000 rural Ontario households by 2025.

Leamington Deputy Mayor Larry Verbeke brought greetings on behalf of the municipality and said he was grateful to the province for the announcement.

“We are pleased that the governments of Canada and Ontario are bringing high-speed internet to our rural areas,” he said. “We welcome this announcement. It’s what our rural residents need and deserve.”

Celebrating the SWIFT announcement are, from left, Mike Makhlouf of Freddy’s, Trevor Jones, MPP Chatham-Kent Leamington, Gary McNamara, Warden County of Essex, Larry Verbeke, Leamington Deputy Mayor, Bill Dunn, Leamington Councillor, Heather Latam, Leamington Councillor, and Rob Makhlouf of Freddy’s. SUN photo

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