(Norfolk County, ON) April 6, 2022– SWIFT announced today that Execulink Telecom has begun construction on a high-speed fibre-optic network in Norfolk County to bring improved internet service to nearly 900 homes and businesses within the communities of Long Point and Old Cut.
“Providing equitable access to high-speed connectivity is key to supporting the social and economic growth of small and rural communities,” said Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT. “With work now underway to expand broadband service in the communities of Long Point and Old Cut, we are pleased to partner with Execulink Telecom on the construction of a fibre-optic network that will deliver greater connectivity to many more homes and businesses in Norfolk County.”
“Our government has made access to high-speed internet a priority for rural Ontario, and we’re delivering on that commitment,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “New broadband infrastructure that will soon connect families, farms, and businesses in Norfolk County, will help families stay in touch, help people access supports they need, while providing a much-needed boost to the local economy. This is the type of critical infrastructure that benefits the entire community.”
As part of SWIFT’s Southwestern Ontario broadband expansion plan, Execulink Telecom was awarded funding to support the expansion of high-speed internet service in underserved areas located outside of Port Rowan, including areas east of Highway 59 along parts of Concession Roads 1, 2 and 3, Dedrick Road, and Backus Mills Road, as well as within the communities of Long Point and Old Cut.
“The internet has forever changed the world and what was once a luxury has now become essential to our daily lives” said Kristal Chopp, Mayor of Norfolk County. “I am thankful to the SWIFT team for bringing greatly improved high-speed internet access to many residents, property owners, and businesses in Long Point and remain hopeful that services will continue to be expanded to all residents.”
Construction of the high-speed network broke ground earlier this year and is forecasted to be complete with service fully available to all locations within the network’s footprint by June 2022.
“We are proud to bring Fibre to Long Point as we extend our service to additional communities in Norfolk County. Many call Long Point home and for others it is a destination for vacation and retirement. Execulink provides the Internet speed and reliability that only Fibre can offer and the superior customer experience that local residents, businesses and visitors deserve,” said Ian Stevens, CEO of Execulink Telecom.
Today’s announcement is part of SWIFT’s $268 million regional broadband expansion plan that will bring high-speed internet service to more than 63,000 homes and businesses throughout Southwestern Ontario.
For additional information on SWIFT funded projects, please visit: www.swiftruralbroadband.ca/projects
Additional Information:
Quick Facts:
- SWIFT, in partnership with the federal and provincial governments and private sector investors, has committed a combined investment of $11.8 million to bring high-speed internet service to 3946 underserved homes and businesses within the Norfolk County.
- In total, SWIFT has awarded 97contracts to support the expansion of broadband infrastructure throughout Southwestern Ontario to bring more than 63,000 homes and businesses across the region improved access to high-speed internet. Local projects are underway, with 52 projects in the construction phase and 24 projects.
About SWIFT
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) is a non-profit regional broadband project initiated by the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus to subsidize the construction of high-speed broadband networks across Southwestern Ontario, Caledon and the Niagara Region.
The project was approved for funding up to $127.4 million under the New Building Canada Fund – Small Communities Fund (NBCF-SCF), a joint federal and provincial infrastructure funding program, and leverages additional funding from municipal partners and private sector investors to bring improve access to broadband services across the region.
Media Contact:
Melissa O’Brien
[email protected]
Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology
226.256.1640
