Another round of government funding is looking to improve internet access in the region, and it’s looking to serve even more communities.
$362 million has been announced between the federal and provincial governments to connect over 90,000 homes in Eastern Ontario to high-speed internet. However, unlike previous announcements, these projects will service communities outside of major hubs. Along with the Town of Bancroft, the communities of Coe Hill, Cloyne, Denbigh, Detlor, Eldorado, Highland Grove, Madoc, Maple Leaf, Maynooth and L’Amable have been included, among several others.
The funding is part of a $1.2 billion joint venture which has seen Canada’s Universal Broadband Fund partner with the Improving Connectivity for Ontario program. It is the second major broadband funding announcement to take place this summer, with a $14.7 million boost announced in July.
Hastings Lennox and Addington MPP Daryl Kramp called the funding the largest single investment in high-speed internet in Canadian history.
All projects being funded are ready for construction. While each project will have its own date of completion, all of them will be completed before March 31st, 2024.