Thirteen more communities are added to the list of BRAND enabled communities
The Kittiwake Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) is the lead partner in economic development for Zone 14 of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Kittiwake Economic Development Corporation, along with its partners; Industry Canada, Aliant, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the communities in the regions of New World Island and New-Wes-Valley, are pleased to announce that as a direct result of Industry Canada's Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Program , high-speed Internet service will be available in the following communities by March 31st, 2007:
- Bridgeport
- Cobb's Arm
- Fairbanks
- Hillgrade
- Newville
- Pike's Arm
- Roger's Cove (Herring Neck)
- Green Cove
- Too Good Arm
- Badger's Quay
- Pound Cove
- Brookfield
- Valleyfield
The total funding provided for the connection of these communities to high-speed Internet is $1,555,482 which has been made available through a combination of private and public-sector sources. The Broadband Pilot Program has provided a total of $542,723. The Broadband Pilot Program is a national program of the Government of Canada created to bring broadband service to rural and remote, northern and First Nations communities.
The Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has provided $440,000 through its Innovative Communities Fund.
"The new Government of Canada is working with local, provincial and territorial governments, the private sector and First Nations to help Canadian communities get access to broadband", said the Honorable Loyola Hearn, Member of Parliament for St. John's South - Mount Pearl on behalf of the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "Broadband access can help bring health care, education, business opportunities and government services closer to communities in the regions of New World Island and New-Wes-Valley."
Other funding partners include the service provider, Bell Aliant and the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Each partner has contributed $415,153 and $104,247 respectively with the remaining project budget balance of approximately $43,000 being comprised from in-kind contributions from the Community Champion, the Kittiwake Economic Development Corporation.
"Access to high speed internet service has become an important part of many aspects of daily life, including running a successful business," said Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "This funding has made it possible to provide essential access to rural communities in this area, providing benefits to rural businesses and residents."
The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development contributed the initial $11,000 for business plan development for the project application to Industry Canada.
"This broadband initiative will be of tremendous benefit to the people of this entire region" said MHA Harry Harding. High speed internet access will bring exciting new technological capabilities that will improve educational and economic opportunities as well as allow residents to more conveniently access the many on-line services of government and other agencies. I commend the Kittiwake Economic Development Corporation along with its government and industry partners for enabling this groundbreaking project to proceed."
The Kittiwake Economic Development Corporation was one of 63 organizations selected to receive financial assistance from Industry Canada to deploy broadband service to their community under the BRAND Pilot Program. The KEDC project will grow to encompass 13 communities in the New World Island and New-Wes-Valley regions.
"Aliant was pleased to be selected as the technology partner for this innovative project," says Vic Simmons, Regional Manager, West/Central Newfoundland and Labrador, "we welcome the opportunity to expand and enhance our broadband network and provide information, communications and entertainment solutions to customers in the New World Island and New-Wes-Valley Regions."
Mr. Roger Hewitt, on behalf of the Chairperson of the Kittiwake Economic Development Corporation, Mr. Winston Jennings, commented on behalf of the Board of Directors:
"...it is indeed a pleasure to partner with Industry Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Innovation Trade and Rural Development and Bell Aliant to make broadband technology available to 13 communities within the New World Island and New Wes Valley areas in the Kittiwake region. The Kittiwake Economic Development Corporation's staff will continue to work diligently to ensure this initiative will be realized and that this service will be provided to the business owners and residents within the communities announced. The Kittiwake Economic Development Corporation sees this as an opportunity to reap the rewards that modern day technology can bring, that is, to market products and services at a global capacity, and in turn avail of information via the world-wide-web. This high-speed service will better position our businesses, residents, and medical and education facilities to be more competitive in the fast growing global economy."
The Kittiwake Economic Development Corporation is taking proactive steps to position itself as a strong rural economic region in Canada. The implementation of this project will create competitive means of deploying civil and business services in the New World Island and New-Wes-Valley regions which will result in stronger, more competitive communities and create an environment in the regions for new economic opportunities. In addition, this project gives the region a unique position in attracting new business and people by promoting a progressive living and business climate associated with information technology and the growth that it makes accessible. The creation of a broadband network which spans across the entire KEDC region will solidify the competitiveness of the region and will serve as an excellent amenity for communities to use for generating interest in their opportunities.
For more information about the Broadband Pilot Program, please access the website online at http://www.broadband.gc.ca.
For more information please contact:
Gail Hoyles, Project Manager Kittiwake Economic Development Corporation 2nd Floor McCurdy Complex PO Box 2222 Gander, NL A1V 2N9
Telephone: 709.256.2745 Fax: 709.256.2672 Email: broadbandkedc@nfld.net
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