Ontario Supporting Broadband Expansion in Hearst
Ontario is helping to improve the connectivity of residents and local businesses in Hearst by investing in enhanced access to high speed internet.
With funding from the province's Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), the Hearst Wi-Fibe Corporation is installing a fiber optic network that will boost internet and broadband Ethernet speeds in the region. The improvements will include enhancing existing telecommunications infrastructure and installing additional fibre and networking equipment for upgraded residential and commercial connectivity.
Better and faster access to the internet will provide social and economic benefits to residents and businesses and enhance the community's investment readiness. The project will also create six full-time jobs in the area.
Investing in community infrastructure in the North is part of Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.
Quick Facts
Ontario is investing $1.3 million in Hearst through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) Strategic Economic Infrastructure Program.Since 2013, the province has invested more than $621 million through the NOHFC in over 3,845 projects, leveraging more than $2.2 billion in direct economic activity and creating or sustaining over 15,300 jobs in Northern Ontario.In the Timmins-James Bay region, the NOHFC has invested more than $34 million in 343 projects that have helped create or retain more than 970 jobs since 2013.Additional Resources
NOHFC programsTown of HearstHearst Wi-FibeQuotes
"Our government is making strategic investments that are creating opportunity and making life fair by helping ensure Northerners have reliable access to all of the social and economic benefits of modern technology. Today's investment in enhanced internet access in Hearst means essential educational, health, business and social applications will become more accessible for local residents which is crucial for maintaining and creating prosperity in northern communities."
"We'd like to thank Minister Gravelle and the province for their significant investment that will provide residents and businesses of Hearst with a significant increase in broadband speed, enhancing our community's investment readiness and our ability to attract and retain businesses and professionals."
Roger Sigouin
"I am pleased that the province is able to invest in this project, so that our residents will have access to modern communications and be able to share in the social and economic advantages that this new digital infrastructure will bring."
Tania Cossette