A fibre internet survey by Chatham-Kent's Economic Development Services shows that there's a strong need for high-speed internet, even in agricultural sectors.
The survey, which looks to see which companies need or want fibre internet, closes on Thursday, July 19.
Andrew Tompsett, Economic Development Services marketing and communications officer, says over 30 responses from businesses were received in the survey's first few hours of being online.
"So far, the feedback has been really positive actually. We've seen a lot of businesses from all over Chatham-Kent coming together and giving us lots of great reasons as to why fibre should be located in their area and what it would mean to them," explains Tompsett.
Tompsett says it's an opportunity to reach out to communities that are under-serviced.
"It's our understanding that there are already existing fibre areas in Chatham-Kent, but this is looking at maybe some areas that are not currently serviced or could be serviced," says Thompsett.
Fibre internet is currently being installed in some areas in Chatham this summer.
"Something I was really surprised to see is that there are actually some businesses that were still on dial-up," says Tompsett. "I don't know if that's by choice or if that's by necessity, but that's a really interesting thing to find out in the survey so far."
Tompsett adds that he's amazed at the agricultural need for high-speed internet.
"You don't traditionally think of agriculture as needing that, but when you start to look into and talk to these manufacturers and these businesses, you realize they have a very strong need for that type of access, for all of the different business reasons," explains Tompsett.
Tompsett says high-speed internet is always something that's being chatted about at an event like TeCK Night Chatham-Kent,
2nd TeCK Night in Chatham-Kent. July 18, 2018. Photo courtesy of Andrew Tompsett.
which was hosted for a second time at Sons of Kent Brewing Co. Wednesday evening. The theme of the event was artificial intelligence in traditional businesses and was hosted by WEtech Alliance, Invest CK, Small Business Centre Chatham-Kent, and Scribendi.
Geoff Wright with Chatham-Kent’s Economic Development Services says about 30 professionals and residents attended the event.
"Technology is all around us and this event really is coordinating that technology. We're inviting out all kinds of different people from different sectors to come and talk about their technology and their sector," says Wright.
2nd TeCK Night in Chatham-Kent. July 18, 2018. Photo courtesy of Andrew Tompsett.