Chisholm Council and staff are pleased to announce that Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation (Blue Sky Net) is receiving $267,473 from the Ministry of Infrastructure to erect two new internet towers within the Township of Chisholm

“For the many years that we have worked to expand Broadband in Northern Ontario, we have looked to the Province for help. This project is no different and with the support of the municipality and the Province, at a time where access to Broadband has never been more needed, we are grateful once again for this support”. Susan Church, Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation

“Spectrum Telecom is proud to work with Blue Sky Economic Growth Corp. to expand and improve rural broadband internet in the Township of Chisholm .This project could not proceed without the generous contributions from The Township of Chisholm and the Ministry of Infrastructure, as well as the tireless work of Blue Sky Net.” Jason Bionda, Vice President/Broadband Division, Spectrum Group.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 – via Township of Chisholm

CHISHOLM – Council and staff are pleased to announce that Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation (Blue Sky) is receiving $267,473 from the Ministry of Infrastructure to erect two new internet towers within the Township of Chisholm to increase broadband to at least 30/5 Mbps for over 200 homes and businesses. One of the towers will replace the smaller tower that exists at the municipal office on Chiswick Line and the second tower will be along River Road.

“This project would have not been possible without the hard work and dedication of the township staff reaching out to Internet Service Providers and brainstorming solutions to allow for improved broadband within the township,” said Mayor Gail Degagne, “Having a shovel ready project ready to go allowed Blue Sky to quickly put together the funding application on behalf of the township.”

Collaboration with partners is how bigger projects come to fruition. For this project, with Blue Sky at the lead, the township will be working with Spectrum Group. The financial contributions will be as follows; Ministry of Infrastructure $267,473, Spectrum Telecom Group $127,368 and the Township of Chisholm $29,719 for a project total of $424,560. Chisholm’s contribution will be coming from the Modernization Funding received by the province in 2019.

There will also be some benefits to our neighbours in the: Municipality of Powassan, Township of Bonfield and Municipality of East Ferris, who will also have access to the new towers.
In response to community input and feedback, Council and staff will continue to dedicate time, effort and money towards improved broadband, in order to effectively address our community’s needs. There are still areas of the township that are not serviced or under serviced. As part of the 2020 budget discussions, it was decided to create a Broadband Reserve fund and open that Fund with a contribution of $20,000 from the 2020 Operating Budget. Each year there will be a contribution to the fund to support future projects with the goal of every household in the township having acceptable internet.

“Now more than ever, high-speed internet is considered an essential service that every Ontarian deserves and has access to.” states Mayor Gail Degagne.