Improving access to high-speed internet in Huron County is a priority of County Council.
“High-speed Internet access is about connecting small businesses to the marketplace and our youth to their future,” said Warden Jim Ginn. “The County of Huron is working together with local Internet service providers to expand access to high-speed broadband in our region.”
Today, Council passed a motion to support, in principle, an application to the federal Connect to Innovate program put forward 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. To leverage federal investment, County Council is prepared to invest $7,000,000 over seven years to fund this project.
“Improving connectivity in Huron County is something we need to do,” added Warden Ginn. “However, we cannot build broadband infrastructure alone and are calling on the federal government to partner with us.”
The Connect to Innovate application is due at the end of April, at which time the federal government will review the proposal. Over the coming months, County staff and Comcentric will develop a detailed business plan that ensures best value for any public money invested in this project.
Home to 60,000 full-time residents, Huron County is one of the most agriculturally productive regions in Ontario. Major sectors of the local economy are agri-buisness, manufacturing, professional services and tourism.