GREENFIELD – People who live in Middlefield and Greenfield will soon be able to access the worldwide web through a new high-speed Internet service.
Bernadette Jordan, Member of Parliament for South Shore – St. Margaret’s, made the funding announcement at the Greenfield & District Fire Department in Greenfield May 16.
“Internet access is now an essential part of our everyday lives,” said Jordan.
She said people log on to the Internet for many reasons, including education, health and entertainment, among other things.
“I am happy to be here to announce that the Government of Canada, through (the) Connect to Innovate program, will be providing $389,000 to connect communities here in the Region of Queens,” said Jordan.
“We know that this funding will bring transformative change to over 370 houses and businesses in Greenfield and Middlefield.”
Jordan said the investment would be important for those who live in Middlefield and Greenfield because the communities have been asking for Internet connectivity for a long time.
She said the announcement was just a first step and would not connect everyone in Queens County.
“We have to start somewhere, and I’m excited to see that Greenfield and Middlefield are going to be two of the communities that are going to be connected,” Jordan said.
Following the announcement, Queens Mayor David Dagley, said he was thrilled with the announcement.
“The Queens fiber backbone project, to be installed by Bell Canada through the support of Connect to Innovate funding, is a good news story for Greenfield and Middlefield,” said Dagley. “Backbone service is necessary infrastructure, laying the groundwork for future Internet connections in rural areas.”
The mayor said he looks forward to future funding announcements regarding broadband service for other Queens County communities.
One resident asked what the timeline would be. Jordan said there would first be a development phase.
“Into the fall, they’ll start with the groundwork. That’s my understanding,” she explained.
Visit https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/programs/computer-internet-access/connect-to-innovate.html to learn about Connect to Innovate.
