For Immediate Release
August 24, 2007

MPP SCOTT ACKNOWLEDGES HIGH-SPEED INTERNET SUCCESS IN HALIBURTON AND PETERBOROUGH COUNTIES, TOWNSHIP OF BROCK, CITY OF KAWARTHA LAKES

(County of Haliburton) – Laurie Scott, MPP (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock) is pleased to recognize four municipalities that have made successful applications for provincial funding for expanded broadband and high-speed internet capabilities to reach our rural communities.

“As the MPP for this riding, I am thrilled to see the efforts of our communities towards economic development opportunities through the expansion of high-speed internet service to rural areas,” said Scott.  “I have pressed the provincial government and expressed the strong need for financial assistance for high-speed service coverage in the communities of our riding.”

“Thanks to the great work of our municipalities and their project partners who have proved they are prepared to implement and sustain broadband capacity, this is an excellent start.”

Municipalities who have applied and succeeded for Rural Connections funding are:

• County of Haliburton     - up to $ 37,600
• City of Kawartha Lakes  - up to $ 243,378
• County of Peterborough - up to $1,000,000
• Township of Brock        - up to $ 82,500 (Approximately, via Durham Region)

The provincial government is funding up to one third of the cost of the qualifying projects, to a maximum of $1 million.  The remainder of the funding comes from municipalities and their project partners.

Although she is pleased for the above mentioned successful applications, Scott said there is a huge need for high-speed internet service in many other remote areas of the riding.

“Small rural communities have been overlooked by the province and would highly benefit from this type of funding to contribute to their economic growth.” said Scott.  “This is something I will continue to pursue on behalf of those rural communities.”

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For Further Information Contact:

Laurie Scott, MPP

705-324-6654

1-800-424-2490