Formation of a Municipal Services Corporation

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Consultation has concluded

Northumberland County is moving forward with plans to deliver broadband access across Northumberland by the end of 2024. We are currently seeking public feedback on the formation of a Municipal Services Corporation to manage public funds for this initiative.

Background

In July 2019, Northumberland County Council approved a Digital Strategy. This strategy outlined the requirements for the creation of an Intelligent Community: a planned, coordinated effort to shape the introduction and use of innovative technologies in County workplaces and in the community. In order to initiate this strategy, broadband connectivity across the County was deemed essential.

Throughout 2020, the County undertook research to identify the current state of connectivity in Northumberland. This research confirmed that of the approximately 40,000 households in Northumberland, 13,500 households are either underserved with broadband access or entirely unserved.

Innovative approach to deliver high-speed internet access

Northumberland County has developed an innovative approach designed to meet the growing high-speed internet needs of residents, businesses, and public services. This approach brings together significant public funding and private capital investment to create an open access fibre-to-the-home broadband network. This network will deliver reliable high-speed internet access to all households and businesses across Northumberland by the end of 2024.

In April 2022, the Province announced $45 million in joint funding with the federal government towards this initiative. A minimum of $65 million in private sector investments is also anticipated.

County staff have now developed a business case detailing the process for creating the necessary infrastructure to move this initiative forward via a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC). The MSC will manage public funds invested towards this initiative.

The public engagement objectives for this consultation are to:

  1. Inform community members about the proposal to establish a Municipal Services Corporation to manage public funds invested towards the development of a local open access broadband network.
  2. Obtain feedback on the business case.

Join In the conversation

  1. Review the business case located under 'Documents' in the right-hand menu. Email your comments to borowecd@northumberland.ca by July 15, 2022.
  2. Make a delegation on this issue at the upcoming meeting of the Economic Development, Tourism and Land Use Planning Committee, taking place at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

Northumberland County is moving forward with plans to deliver broadband access across Northumberland by the end of 2024. We are currently seeking public feedback on the formation of a Municipal Services Corporation to manage public funds for this initiative.

Background

In July 2019, Northumberland County Council approved a Digital Strategy. This strategy outlined the requirements for the creation of an Intelligent Community: a planned, coordinated effort to shape the introduction and use of innovative technologies in County workplaces and in the community. In order to initiate this strategy, broadband connectivity across the County was deemed essential.

Throughout 2020, the County undertook research to identify the current state of connectivity in Northumberland. This research confirmed that of the approximately 40,000 households in Northumberland, 13,500 households are either underserved with broadband access or entirely unserved.

Innovative approach to deliver high-speed internet access

Northumberland County has developed an innovative approach designed to meet the growing high-speed internet needs of residents, businesses, and public services. This approach brings together significant public funding and private capital investment to create an open access fibre-to-the-home broadband network. This network will deliver reliable high-speed internet access to all households and businesses across Northumberland by the end of 2024.

In April 2022, the Province announced $45 million in joint funding with the federal government towards this initiative. A minimum of $65 million in private sector investments is also anticipated.

County staff have now developed a business case detailing the process for creating the necessary infrastructure to move this initiative forward via a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC). The MSC will manage public funds invested towards this initiative.

The public engagement objectives for this consultation are to:

  1. Inform community members about the proposal to establish a Municipal Services Corporation to manage public funds invested towards the development of a local open access broadband network.
  2. Obtain feedback on the business case.

Join In the conversation

  1. Review the business case located under 'Documents' in the right-hand menu. Email your comments to borowecd@northumberland.ca by July 15, 2022.
  2. Make a delegation on this issue at the upcoming meeting of the Economic Development, Tourism and Land Use Planning Committee, taking place at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.