The Ontario government is putting up over one-million-dollars to bring high speed internet to residents and businesses in Ripley and in Saugeen First Nation.
The official announcement was made last week at the HuronTel offices in Ripley.
Huron Telecommunications Co-operative General Manager Glenn Grubb says the almost 745 thousand dollars they’ve received will help bring digital service to the Ripley/Dungannon area.
Grubb says the project, which started last year is expected to be completed by the end of this year at a cost of 2.5-million-dollars.
Huron Kinloss councillor Don Murray says he knows the community has been looking forward to this enhanced service and says it will also help businesses in the rural area stay competitive.
Huron Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell says the service will bring vital health, education and business services to the rural communities.
Mitchell says she’s particularly pleased that Saugeen First Nation is getting just over 304 thousand dollars and is the first native community in the province to take advantage of the government’s Building Broadband in Rural and Northern Ontario program.
She says she hopes this becomes a template for other First Nations groups to follow.
Saugeen First Nation Chief Randall Kahgee, who could not attend the event, sent a prepared statement saying the installation of broadband will only help his community grow.
He says he’s particularly excited by the opportunities it affords the community’s young people to encourage them to embrace technology as an integral part of their personal growth and the growth as a Nation.
