Improving access to high-speed Internet in Huron County is a priority for County Council and the Economic Development Board.
In early April, County Council passed a resolution supporting an application to the Government of Canada’s Connect to Innovate program developed by Comcentric – a cooperative of the local Internet service providers. The proposal outlines a plan to build infrastructure that connects 98 per cent of the county’s population with high-speed fibre optic Internet access over a three year period. As part of the resolution, County Council is prepared to invest $7,000,000 over seven years to fund this project, which also depends on federal funding. The Comcentric Connect to Innovate application has now been submitted for consideration.
“Connecting our agri-food businesses, manufacturers and professional service sector with high-speed Internet is absolutely vital to unlocking our economic potential,” said Jim Lynn, Chair of the Huron County Economic Development Board. “We have developed a solution, Huron County Council is prepared to invest in that solution, and now we need a partner in the Government of Canada.”
Home to 60,000 full-time residents, Huron County is one of the most agriculturally productive regions in Ontario. The economic opportunity to build up the competitiveness of Ontario’s agri-food sector – with a strong focus on innovation, scale and modernization – has been recognized by the province’s Agri-Food Growth Steering Committee.
“Any agri-food plan that discusses high-value growth opportunities and investments in competitiveness requires access to high-speed Internet,” added Lynn.
Let the Government of Canada know that #HuronCounty wants to #ConnectToInnovate !