April 7, 2010
$47,000 TO CONNECT FAULDER TO THE WORLD

PENTICTON – Residents in Faulder will soon enjoy a broadband connection to the internet, thanks to a $46,954 grant from the Province of B.C.’s Connecting Citizens Grant Program.

“For business, pleasure, education and more, a broadband internet connection is becoming vital for British Columbians,” said Penticton MLA, Bill Barisoff. “People in Faulder will benefit from this investment in ‘last-mile’ connectivity.”

A.B.C. Allen Business Communications will provide the service to the community.

Currently 92 per cent of British Columbia citizens have high-speed internet connectivity. The Province has plans to grow this number and bring broadband internet to the doorstep of every British Columbian, no matter their location.

Up to 50 remote and rural towns in British Columbia will soon be able to surf the web at broadband speed thanks to over $1 million in provincial funding.

Broadband internet connections mean better education, health and economic opportunities for all citizens. It is also a catalyst for economic diversification in B.C.’s rural and remote communities.

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

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