Wednesday, March 27, 2013

High-speed Internet blossoms in Cherryville

CHERRYVILLE – High-speed Internet service is coming to Cherryville, thanks to a $250,000 grant from the government of B.C. Today’s announcement means by the end of this year, over 1,000  area residents will benefit from a partnership between the government of B.C., the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) and the private sector, including a local Internet service provider. Local businesses, especially those in Cherryville’s growing wood and tourism sectors, will be able to compete in broader markets, giving them the opportunity to expand their messages globally through online marketing and sales. This one-time $250,000 grant will help pay for the estimated $300,000 cost to build the necessary infrastructure. An additional $50,000 was raised by the RDNO through the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust. Since 2001, high-speed Internet access has reached hundreds of communities and total connectivity in B.C. has increased from 82 per cent to 93 per cent. Today’s grant for Cherryville is another step forward in the government’s commitment to achieve 100 per cent connectivity by 2021. It will enable the RDNO to select an Internet service provider to get the service up and running by the end of 2013.
Cherryville Residents Now have Opportunity To reach This Point
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Eugene Foisy, Electoral Area “E”, Regional District of North Okanagan –
“We’re thrilled to receive this funding from the government of B.C. Businesses and families across the Cherryville area will be able to join the high-speed Internet community, which is crucial to the economic viability of residents in the region.”

MLA for Vernon-Monashee Eric Foster
“I had heard from the community firsthand about their ongoing need for better Internet connectivity. This has been a group effort by the community, the regional district and government. I’m proud to have helped bring this service to the Cherryville area and I’m looking forward to seeing the benefits high-speed Internet access will bring to people in the region.”

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