Federal and Provincial Governments Invest More than $3.3 Million to Expand Broadband Services in Greenstone Region

News Release

Improving Access for Northern Households and Businesses

July 14, 2015 – Geraldton, Ontario – Industry Canada/FedNor

Canada and Ontario are helping the Greenstone region better connect to the information highway. An investment in telecommunications infrastructure will bring modern, high speed broadband technology to residents, businesses and community organizations and improve access to health services, educational opportunities and a wide range of public services.

With a federal investment of $1,701,384 through the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor) and a provincial investment of $1,668,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), the Municipality of Greenstone is bringing improved broadband services to more than 3,300 homes and businesses in area communities and First Nations. The project includes an upgrade of fibre and networking equipment as well as the installation of 48 kilometres of fibre optic cable. This will provide high bandwidth capacity and support future demand for telecommunications technologies.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to invest in key infrastructure priorities to help communities diversify and create regional economic growth opportunities. Today's announcement further demonstrates our commitment to provide Northern Ontario communities and businesses with the tools they need to compete and succeed in a global economy."
– The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario

"Ontario is committed to building up the North through important community projects like this one. Our investment in upgrades to telecommunications infrastructure in the Greenstone area will create new economic opportunities and social benefits for businesses and families alike. This is part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario's history – more than $130 billion over 10 years."
– Michael Gravelle, Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Chair of the NOHFC

"I am very pleased that FedNor and the NOHFC could help bring improved broadband services to our area. Access to high-speed Internet and high-bandwidth services provides many new opportunities in education, health care, tourism and business for our region."
– Renald Beaulieu, Mayor of Greenstone

Quick Facts

The federal funding announced today is provided through FedNor's Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.
Since 2006, through FedNor's Northern Ontario Development Program, the Government of Canada has invested $351 million in support of more than 1,675 projects. These investments have supported more than 22,700 jobs throughout Northern Ontario.
The provincial funding announced today is provided through the NOHFC's Strategic Economic Infrastructure program, which supports infrastructure projects that align with the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario to help create jobs and build capacity in northern communities.
Since 2003, the NOHFC has invested more than $1 billion in 6,780 projects in Northern Ontario, creating or sustaining more than 25,500 jobs.
The project will make broadband services available to 2,062 households and 1,274 businesses in the communities of Nakina, Geraldton, Longlac, Beardmore, Caramat, Jellicoe, Orient Bay, and MacDiarmid as well as the First Nations of Aroland, Long Lake #58, Ginoogaming, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (Sandpoint), Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek (Lake Nipigon Ojibway), and Biinjtiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay).

Additional Resources

To find out more about our programs and services, please visit: fednor.gc.ca and follow us on Twitter @FedNor.
Read about the NOHFC and its programs and follow us on Twitter @NOHFC.

Contacts

Alexandra Lemieux
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Greg Rickford
613-996-2007
Alexandra.Lemieux@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca

Eric Bianchini
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Honourable Michael Gravelle
416-327-2394

Barclay Babcock
Communications Officer
FedNor
705-690-0957 or 1-877-333-6673 poste 303

Julia Bennett
Communications Officer
MNDM
416-314-6275

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Federal and Provincial Governments Invest More than $3.3 Million to Expand Broadband Services in Greenstone Region

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