The federal and provincial government are teaming up to help provide high-speed internet to communities in Central Alberta.
The two parties are partnering to invest more than $96 million to connect over 10,000 homes across the province.
According to a press release, Gull Lake South, Rimbey, Viewmar Estates (Ponoka County) and Vulcan are among the 26 communities that will benefit from the construction.
The combined federal and provincial funding will deliver high-speed internet to more than 2,000 Indigenous households and more than 40 rural communities across Alberta when the project is finished.
“Improving access to high-speed internet is the key to unlocking the potential in these communities across Alberta. I’m happy to note that construction work has begun in some communities,” said Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation.
“I look forward to continued work with the federal government to connect more communities until we achieve our goal of connecting every single Albertan to high-speed internet by 2027.”
The government expects the upgrades to provide up to $1.7 million in annual GPD growth and up to five per cent GDP growth in the agricultural sector.
The project aims to improve healthcare access for close to 40,000 Albertans and improve access to remote education for more than 120,000 students.
“This investment is a game-changer for rural Albertans and Indigenous communities,” said Gudie Hutchings, Federal Minister of Rural Economic Development.
“These investments in connectivity will ensure that thousands of households can access the tools and resources they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Access to reliable, high-speed internet will provide better education, health and economic opportunities, and will ensure that rural and Indigenous communities are full partners in Alberta’s growing economy.”
The funding is part of Alberta’s joint commitment of $780 million with the federal government to improve access to high-speed internet in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
In September 2022, Alberta’s government joined the federal government in announcing $70.6 million to connect 10,000 Alberta households, bringing Alberta families and communities closer to being able to rely on stable internet connectivity.