Premier Christy Clark announced today the Province is providing $2.34 million to expand Internet service to families in over 60 locales in rural B.C.

"Bringing Internet access to our most rural areas is crucial for the future of our young people and their education, for the health of families and for the competitiveness of our businesses," said Premier Clark. "Not only does it help give British Columbians better access to information and opportunity, but it also brings that information closer and faster to our youngest learners."

Premier Christy Clark promised to expand broadband Internet into B.C.'s rural communities and make B.C. one of the most connected jurisdictions in the world.

Since 2008, the Province has provided $6.83 million through Network BC's Connecting Citizen's Grant Program and funded nearly 150 connectivity projects to establish the infrastructure needed to bring high-speed Internet services to over 210 new locales in B.C. Today, 93 per cent of British Columbians have access to high-speed Internet.

"This year, we are providing more money for connectivity projects in B.C. than ever before," said Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government. "By investing in 51 new projects, we will help bring health and education opportunities, local business development, and job creation and training to thousands of people living in B.C.'s smallest communities."

With these grants, more families, businesses and individuals will soon have access to high-speed Internet services for the first time. The provincial government is committed to creating new economic opportunities for families by expanding broadband into their communities.

Network BC works collaboratively with local community groups, all levels of government and the private sector, including small Internet service providers, to encourage and facilitate high-speed Internet connectivity. To find out more about Network BC, please visit: http://www.network.gov.bc.ca/

A list of successful projects of the 2010-2011 Connecting Citizens Grant Program is in the attached backgrounder.

BACKGROUNDER

Connecting Citizens Grant Program recipients for 2010/2011

In 2011, 51 connectivity projects will receive a total of $2.34 million under the Connecting Citizens Grant Program. Applications were adjudicated based on the program criteria.

Projects that receive funding are targeted for completion by March 31, 2012.

Locale: /Recipient: /Region: /Amount:

Locale: Adams Lake, Turtle Valley
Recipient: AirSpeed Wireless Inc.
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$50,000

Locale: Allison Lake, Round Lake
Recipient: China Creek Internet Services Ltd
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$50,000

Locale: Anglemont
Recipient: Mascon Cable Systems Inc.
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$50,000

Locale: Bamfield /Anacla Expansion
Recipient: Community Wireless Networks
Region: VI-Coast
$30,000

Locale: Bankeir, Chain Lakes, Osprey Lake
Recipient: China Creek Internet Services Ltd
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$50,000

Locale: Bayview Subdivision
Recipient: Bayview Resident's Association
Region: Kootenay
$35,000

Locale: Bear Cove Hwy
Recipient: Keta Cable Inc.
Region: VI-Coast
$50,000

Locale: Bella Bella Expansion
Recipient: Heiltsuk Economic Development Corporation
Region: VI-Coast
$50,000

Locale: Black Pines
Recipient: A.B.C. Allen Business Communications Ltd
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$50,000

Locale: Blue River
Recipient: B.C. 0854809 Ltd. dba Thompson Rivers Wireless
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$50,000

Locale: Boston Bar, North Bend
Recipient: Lookieloo.net Sales & Purchases Ltd.
Region: Lower Mainland
$44,800

Locale: Bralorne
Recipient: Minto Communications Society
Region: Lower Mainland
$50,000

Locale: Chilhil Band - Fountain Valley
Recipient: Lytton Area Wireless Society
Region: Lower Mainland
$40,000

Locale: Edgewood-Inonoaklin Valley
Recipient: Edgewood Community Internet Society
Region: Kootenay
$50,000

Locale: Farleigh Lake
Recipient: SkySurfer Technologies Corp.
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$47,600

Locale: French Beach
Recipient: South Island Cable Ltd.
Region: VI-Coast
$50,000

Locale: Gillies Bay Expansion
Recipient: Gillies Bay Internet Society
Region: VI-Coast
$50,000

Locale: Glimpse Lake
Recipient: Copper Valley Computers Ltd.
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$20,650

Locale: Hagensborg, Firvale
Recipient: Central Coast Communications Society
Region: VI-Coast
$43,880

Locale: Heffley Lake
Recipient: Mascon Cable Systems Inc.
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$50,000

Locale: Hills
Recipient: Red Mountain Internet Society
Region: Kootenay
$50,000

Locale: Jordan River
Recipient: South Island Cable Ltd.
Region: VI-Coast
$50,000

Locale: Lac le Jeune
Recipient: Copper Valley Computers Ltd.
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$43,250

Locale: Lasqueti Island Expansion
Recipient: Lasqueti Internet Access Society
Region: VI-Coast
$50,000

Locale: Little Heffley Lake
Recipient: Mascon Cable Systems Inc.
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$50,000

Locale: Lytton - Gladwin area
Recipient: Lytton Area Wireless Society
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$50,000

Locale: Lytton - Thompson River Canyon (Nicoamen Band)
Recipient: Lytton Area Wireless Society
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$50,000

Locale: Mara
Recipient: Mascon Cable Systems Inc.
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$50,000

Locale: McLure
Recipient: A.B.C. Allen Business Communications Ltd.
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$43,100

Locale: Moyie and Greater Surrounding Areas
Recipient: Cranbrook Internet Network Technologies, Inc.
Region: Kootenay
$50,000

Locale: Nicola Lake and Surrounding Areas
Recipient: Copper Valley Computers Ltd.
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$33,300

Locale: North Oliver, Shrike Hill, McCuddy Creek
Recipient: SkySurfer Technologies Corp.
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$48,800

Locale: Pemberton Airport
Recipient: Base Technology Ltd.
Region: Lower Mainland
$50,000

Locale: Pritchard
Recipient: B.C. 0854809 Ltd. dba Thompson Rivers Wireless
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$50,000

Locale: Ruth Lake
Recipient: A.B.C. Allen Business Communications Ltd.
Region: Cariboo
$50,000

Locale: Saturna Island North
Recipient: Saturna Net Co-operative
Region: VI-Coast
$50,000

Locale: Shalalth / Seton Portage Extension
Recipient: Seton Lake Indian Band
Region: Lower Mainland
$36,300

Locale: Shutty Bench, Fletcher Falls, Ainsworth Hot Springs
Recipient: Kaslo infoNet Society
Region: Kootenay
$50,000

Locale: Sidley
Recipient: A.B.C. Allen Business Communications Ltd.
Region: Kootenay
$50,000

Locale: Simpcw (Chu Chua)
Recipient: Simpcw First Nation
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$50,000

Locale: Spences Bridge
Recipient: Lookieloo.net Sales & Purchases Ltd.
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$47,500

Locale: Squamish Valley
Recipient: Base Technology Ltd
Region: Lower Mainland
$50,000

Locale: Steelhead
Recipient: Lookieloo.net Sales & Purchases Ltd.
Region: Lower Mainland
$41,500

Locale: Stump Lake
Recipient: Copper Valley Computers Ltd.
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$24,400

Locale: Texas Creek Area, Titqet
Recipient: Lytton Area Wireless Society
Region: Lower Mainland
$50,000

Locale: Topley Landing and Mill Bay Road
Recipient: Regional District of Bulkley Nechako
Region: Nechako
$50,000

Locale: Trout Lake and District
Recipient: Trout Lake Community Club
Region: Thompson-Okanagan
$50,000

Locale: Twin Peaks Road
Recipient: Keta Cable Inc.
Region: VI-Coast
$15,000

Locale: Village of Granisle Expansion
Recipient: Village of Granisle
Region: Nechako
$50,000

Locale: Westbridge
Recipient: A.B.C. Allen Business Communications Ltd.
Region: Kootenay
$50,000

Locale: Yale
Recipient: Lookieloo.net Sales & Purchases Ltd.
Region: Lower Mainland
$49,400

Contact:

Chris Olsen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604 220-1640

Melody Wey
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 508-5030