More rural Ontarians will benefit from access to high-speed internet service

The governments of Ontario and Canada, in partnership with Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc., are investing more than $5.3 million to increase access to fast, reliable high-speed internet to more than 3,400 homes, farms, and businesses in Essex County.

The federal and provincial governments are each committing $1.4 million to support the construction of broadband infrastructure that will provide access to high-speed internet service for 1,600 homes, farms and businesses in the communities of Edgars, Gesto, Marshfield, Pleasant Valley, Arner, East Harrow, Levergood Beach, Belcreft Beach, Comet, Seymour Beach, Lypps Beach, and Ambassador Beach by June 2023.

In addition, both governments are each committing more than $1.2 million to support construction of an additional infrastructure network that will provide access to high-speed internet service for more than 1,800 homes, farms, and businesses in the communities of Mount Carmel, Wigle, Blytheswood, Oakland and Staples by June 2023.

“I’m really pleased to see this project in Essex as it will help connect many businesses and residents who have been without proper high-speed internet access,” said Anthony Leardi, MPP for Essex. “This investment will bring new opportunities, allow families to connect and create potential for growth, while building on our government’s efforts to expand high-speed internet access throughout rural Ontario.”

The contracts to expand broadband services in Essex County were awarded by Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc, a not-for-profit corporation, initiated by local municipalities to address connectivity in Southwestern Ontario.

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