April 7, 2010
RURAL, REMOTE BRITISH COLUMBIANS GET CONNECTED

VANDERHOOF – Residents in the rural and remote locales of Francois Lake and Palling will soon have the world at their fingertips with expanded broadband connectivity.

“Internet has become the telephone and T.V. of the 21st century and everyone deserves access to help them stay connected to the rest of the world,” says Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad. “Online services have become crucial to everyday life and can open up education opportunities, help manage finances, and even provide health care to people no matter where they live.”

Applications from all areas of the province have been reviewed and evaluated, completing the second year of the multi-year funding program. Grants totalling $1.3 million will support 30 projects to be completed over the next year. Under Network BC, infrastructure grants were made available to eligible applicants where the ability to expand Internet high-speed service to unconnected areas was demonstrated.

The Connecting Citizens Grant Program was announced by Premier Gordon Campbell at the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention in September 2008. The program is a $5.2 million, multi-year grant program that provides up to $50,000 per project.

"We are delighted with today's funding announcement," said Bob Allen of ABC Communications, Northern B.C.'s largest provider of integrated telecommunications products and services. "The work we did last year to expand broadband network infrastructure into areas such as Beaverdell, Nukko Lake, Kettle Valley, McLeese Lake and Nazko could not have been achieved without the support of Network BC."

As part of the Ministry of Citizens’ Services, Network BC’s collaborative leadership model has gained international recognition. Network BC was named Laureate of the international Computerworld Honours Program for innovation and has been recognized by the Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Awards annually since 2006 for its collaborative partnerships to support connectivity in rural and remote areas.

For more information about John and the Nechako Lakes region, visit www.johnrustadmla.bc.ca

-30-