Ontario Construction News staff writer
The federal and provincial governments have announced more than $1.6 million to expand high-speed internet service to about 700 homes, farms and businesses in Niagara Region.
“Providing reliable internet access is especially important for rural communities to prosper in our increasingly digital world,” Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey said in a statement “Today’s announcement will ensure that homes, businesses, and farms in the Niagara Region can connect to essential online services and enjoy the additional economic opportunities made available through high-speed internet.”
Southwest Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc. has been contracted for the work in Chantler, Becketts Bridge and O’Reilly’s Bridge.
“We are pleased to mark the successful completion of a 68-kilometre high-speed fibre-to-the-home project in the Niagara Region and are grateful for the ongoing support of the Governments of Ontario and Canada and our community partners as we continue to work together to expand high-speed internet service throughout the Region and across Southwestern Ontario,” said Gary McNamara, SWIFT board chair. “With the newly established fibre-optic network now in service, many more rural homes and businesses throughout the Town of Pelham and within the Township of Wainfleet can now benefit from having access to a fast and reliable internet connection.”
To date, more than $255 million has been invested by the governments of Canada and Ontario and the private sector to bring high-speed internet access to more than 63,000 homes and businesses in Southwestern Ontario through SWIFT by the end of 2023.