(Huron County, ON) November 25, 2022 – Today SWIFT announced the completion of construction of four high-speed internet projects in Huron County. Collectively the newly established infrastructure is now providing fiber-optic internet access to more than 1,000 homes and businesses throughout the municipalities of Howick, South Huron, Huron East and Central Huron.
“We’re proud to be working with local service providers across Huron County to expand high-speed internet access to more families and businesses throughout the region,” said Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT. “With 75% of our project areas now in service in Huron County, it’s great to see strong progress being made through the delivery of our program as we continue to work together with our community partners to bring greater connectivity to rural and small communities in Southwestern Ontario.”
“I am proud that our government continues to deliver on our commitment to expand access to high-speed internet in rural communities across the province,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and MPP for Huron – Bruce. “Building this new broadband infrastructure in Huron County is going to help build rural Ontario and strengthen communities by helping people stay in connected with loved ones and enabling them to access supports they need. This critical infrastructure will have lasting benefits for our entire community.”
“Providing reliable internet access is especially important for rural communities to prosper in our increasingly digital world,” said Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “Today’s announcement will ensure that thousands of homes, businesses, and farms in Huron County can connect to essential online services and enjoy the additional economic opportunities made available through high-speed internet.”
In partnership with SWIFT, Wightman Telecom has completed the construction of a fibre-optic network in the municipality of Howick to provide more than 690 homes and businesses throughout the communities of Wroxeter, Gorrie and Fordwich with access to high-speed internet services.
Hay Communications is now offering high-speed internet access to an additional 240 homes and businesses in the municipality of South Huron, as the service provider completed the construction of a fibre-optic network to bring greater connectivity to the communities of Thames Road, Lumley, Hurondale and surrounding rural areas.
Within the municipalities of Huron East and Central Huron, Tuckersmith Communications has completed the construction of two high-speed fibre-optic projects to expand service to more than an additional 160 homes and businesses located throughout the communities of Henfryn and Summerhill.
In addition, awarded service provider HuronTel has broken ground on three fibre-to-the-home-projects to expand service to more than an additional 485 homes and businesses within the municipalities of North Huron, Morris-Turnberry and Central Huron. Once complete the fibre-optic networks will provide residents living and working throughout the communities of Marnoch, Benmiller, and between Blue Water Beach and Porter’s Hill with access to high-speed internet service.
“I’m pleased about the continued progress being made on broadband expansion in our region. With the completion of each project, we are getting closer and closer to our goal of improving access to high-speed internet for all Huron County residents and businesses,” said Huron County Warden, Glen McNeil.
Today’s announcement is part of SWIFT’s $268 million regional broadband expansion plan that will bring high-speed internet access to more than 63,000 homes and businesses throughout Southwestern Ontario.
For additional information on SWIFT funded projects, please visit: www.swiftruralbroadband.ca/projects
Quotes:
“Previously underserved residents can now achieve gigabyte internet speeds, higher than the Federal minimum guidelines, as well as television and phone service over a stable and dependable connection. We are hooking up these customers as fast as we can. There is a real need in the rural areas and demand is high with over 75% of homes passed already having subscribed to one or more Hay services. We welcome each new member to the co-operative.”
-Angela Lawrence, General Manager, Hay Communications
Quick Facts:
- SWIFT in partnership with the federal and provincial governments and private sector investors has committed a combined investment of $15 million, including an additional investment of $2.5 million from Huron County, to bring high-speed internet service to 1,886 underserved homes and businesses throughout County of Huron.
- In total, SWIFT has awarded 97 contracts 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 43 projects in the construction phase and 53 projects completed.
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
