Thirty six communities on the Northern Peninsula to receive high-speed Internet service

Thirty-six communities will receive high-speed Internet service on the Northern Peninsula thanks to the efforts of a local economic development board and funding from the provincial government. The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development will provide $85,000 to the Nordic Economic Development Corporation to complement funding the board is receiving from the federal government under the Broadband and Rural and Northern Development (BRAND) initiative.

"I congratulate the Nordic Economic Development Corporation on its successful application to the BRAND initiative and I am pleased that the department, with this funding, is able to help the corporation complete its project. High-speed Internet services will enhance education and be a valuable tool for businesses on the Northern Peninsula," said Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. The Nordic Economic Development Corporation was one of five non-profit organizations across Newfoundland and Labrador approved for funding by the federal government under its BRAND initiative.

The total cost of the Nordic Economic Development Corporation project is $3.2 million. Funding from federal sources will cover approximately 70 per cent of the project cost and the rest is being provided by Aliant, the proponents and the provincial government.

The area's representative in the legislature is pleased with this commitment to the Northern Peninsula. Trevor Taylor, the MHA for The Straits and White Bay North, believes that this funding will bring equality to local communities. "The addition of broadband will help put communities of the Northern Peninsula on an equal footing with major cities and other areas not only across Canada, but throughout the developed world," said Minister Taylor. "This is a commitment that will contribute to the further development of the region and one that will be highly valued by local educational institutions and business communities."

The Broadband and Rural and Northern Development initiative is a $105 million project of Industry Canada to enable community-based broadband demonstration or pilot projects in communities that have no high-speed Internet access. The total costs for the five Round I projects is estimated at $16.4 million. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is also a partner in this initiative.

The Nordic Economic Development Corporation is the lead economic development agency on the northern and eastern tip of the Northern Peninsula and is made up of 37 communities.

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-4570

2004 06 15                                        4:10 p.m.