South West Integrated Fibre Technology 

South West Integrated Fibre Technology
Midwestern

SWIFT Receives Millions For High Speed Internet Connectivity

Midwestern Ontario is another step closer to seeing the development of a project that will have a major impact on the region’s current and future vitality.

The federal and provincial governments have announced they are investing in the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology - or SWIFT project - with contributions of $90-million each towards the total project cost of about $281-million.

This investment will support the expansion of access to broadband by delivering fibre optic coverage to over 350 communities across Western Ontario, as well as Caledon and Niagara.

"This is a major victory for all our residents and businesses currently under-serviced or with limited access to high speed internet," says SWIFT Board Chair Gerry Marshall. "I applaud the federal and provincial governments for truly stepping up and supporting small-town, rural Ontarians. The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus created the SWIFT project to connect the region to ultra-high-speed broadband and prepare for ever-growing demand for connectivity."

In addition to leadership from the Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus and investment from the federal and provincial governments, SWIFT has received support from the Southern First Nations Secretariat, school boards, colleges, universities and health care organizations.

"SWIFT was created by the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus, which represents 15 counties in southwestern Ontario, with more than 3-million residents. This announcement demonstrates what’s possible when all orders of government work together and will connect our communities and support important regional economic development for all Ontarians," says Chair of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus and Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope.

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