It seemed like a good idea at the time.
But at least one rural resident in the Municipality of Port Hope is a tad dismayed about being told she will not be getting the high speed fibre optic cable at this time.
Municipality of Port Hope Deputy Mayor, Vicki Mink lives on Jamieson Road just a short distance from County Road 28 and urban Port Hope.
At a press conference nearly two weeks ago held at the Canton municipal office it was announced that 11,000 rural homes and businesses in Northumberland County would be connected to fibre optic service by the end of the year.
The agreements were finalized between Northumberland County, the federal and provincial governments, and private sector partner Windsor Private Capital.
At the press conference it was stated the project will close the “digital divide in our community.”
But it appears Mink and her neighbours are out of luck for the first round of funding for the project.
Speaking at her families home, Mink said she was supportive of the project when she ran for council in 2018.
“I need to move forward with this project, despite not having all the information we needed, because we need people to be connected.”
In a e-mail Mink provided to Today’s Northumberland it states there are nearly 2,000 homes that won’t be on the fibre optic service at this point due to financial restrictions of the project.
The entire project with Federal and Provincial money totals $64.2 million with Northumberland County committing $700,000.
“The short answer is that it is not financially possible for our private sector partner to do so,” said T.J. Flynn Investment Attraction, Economic Development.
“Hence the ask of the government for more funding to address the issue that you and the other 1,959 homes are facing.”
But Mink said there is no reason to justify why people in her area are being left out while others are getting the installation.
“I think we’re leaving people behind. There are people that are in a spot like myself where it’s called a “valley land” and it’s a dead zone so I don’t have connection. Copper cable is becoming more obsolete and harder to repair so there are those of us in our community that aren’t getting the same opportunity as our neighbours.”
Mink said she spoke with MPP Picinni and she’s also heard there is potential for more funding, but that could take up to four to six weeks.
“The project has an aggressive timeline to be completed at the end of the year with those properties that are identified.”
If the funding doesn’t come, another program may take place, but with an additional cost.
“Approximately twice as much and there is no known timeline if that project will happen and how long that would take.”
Mink added the map that shows where fibre optic cables will be installed has one area outlined on the Northumberland map shows a unassumed road (Hawkins Road) has been completed with fibre optic cable, yet nearly 2,000 people who live in homes won’t get theirs installed.
The ironic part to the entire situation is a sign is posted on her property by the road stating, there is new high speed internet.
“It’s right outside my property and we’re on a stretch that it is not coming here.”
This fibre optic cable project addresses a significant infrastructure gap, with approximately one-third of Northumberland households currently either unserved or under-served by high-speed internet.
“I’m really hopeful that everybody will be connected, but we need some answers. Because people are making decisions based on the assumption that they will be connected.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
