Kenora area First Nations get NOHF investment for broadband connections
News Release - December 15, 2005
Lake of the Woods broadband service upgrades will stimulate Northwestern Ontario economy
Provincial Funding Helps Bring High-Speed Internet Technology to Area
KENORA – The Ontario government is boosting economic development opportunities in the Lake of Woods area by expanding broadband Internet availability to communities outside the current service area, Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci announced today.
"Our government is pleased to help bring modern telecommunications technology and its inherent benefits to small northern communities," said Bartolucci. "With this infrastructure in place, personal and business communication will be enhanced favouring new opportunities for economic development and job creation."
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) is providing $575,000 to the Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation to expand broadband service in the greater Lake of the Woods area, west of Kenora. Broadband service will be extended to 15 communities, including five First Nations and other rural areas.
"I am delighted our government supports the expansion of broadband technologies in First Nation communities in the North," said David Ramsay, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. "This project will help attract new business opportunities and enhance virtual service delivery of all kinds in small remote First Nations."
"Ensuring this communication medium is available in Northern Ontario is an important step in fostering economic development in our region," said Bartolucci, who chairs the NOHFC. "Projects such as this provide residents and businesses with access to web-based services and opportunities that were previously unavailable."
This NOHFC project is part of the government’s Northern Prosperity Plan for building stronger northern communities. The Northern Prosperity Plan has four pillars: Strengthening the North and its Communities; Listening to and Serving Northerners Better; Competing Globally; and Providing Opportunities for All.
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Contacts:
Laura Blondeau
Minister’s Office – Sudbury
(705) 564-7454
Michel Lavoie
MNDM/NOHFC – Sudbury
(705) 564-7125