Province Starts 2nd Round of Grants For Remote Access to Internet

Sunday, October 11, 2009 05:47 AM

The Province is providing $1.5 million for Round Two of the Connecting Citizens Grant Program, to help in bringing Internet service to rural and remote parts of the province.

"Broadband access is important for citizens in all corners of the province to share in health, education and economic opportunities" says Citizens' Services Minister Ben Stewart.

Under Network BC, grants are available to eligible applicants where expanding Internet service to unconnected areas can be demonstrated.

The Connecting Citizens Grant Program is a multi-year grant program providing up to $50,000 per locale. The funding helps pay for local infrastructure required to connect homes and businesses to the Internet.

Round One was completed in March 2009 and resulted in much needed last-mile infrastructure funding to 67 Internet projects in over 100 locales.

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Posted on Sunday, October 11, 2009 05:47 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: NMG on October 11 2009 4:49 PM

"Broadband access is important for citizens in all corners of the province to share in health, education and economic opportunities"

Very true. It also helps to bring access to much expanded online gambling to people that wouldn't have the chance to partake in that "entertainment" otherwise. I'm sure that the BCLC loves these announcements :)

Posted by: MrPG on October 12 2009 9:27 AM

A cynical bunch we are...

I'm sure there will be the odd person who is looking forward to this for gambling purposes, but most will use the expanded internet service for legitimate purposes, like accessing facebook, twitter or youtube.

Posted by: Bridget on October 12 2009 1:01 PM

Internet can be very useful and convenient but like everything has its down sides. Kids are the most vulnerable.

What if you were an impressionable and lonely teenager living out in the boonies. Having problems with your parents. No self confidence. You meet this great guy on line who convinces you to move to a big city to be with him. Turns out he's a pimp and is going on line recruiting girls to work for him. Happens lots across Canada and the US.

As long as you are taught to use the Internet safely and there's adults monitoring their kids' use no problem.

Posted by: downnotout on October 12 2009 3:23 PM

shoot the pimps problem solved