Broadband for Rural and Northern Development
Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDC) of Stuart-Nechako and Nadina, in partnership with Navigata, was the result of more than two years of effort to bring high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved communities in the north.
The region covered is in north central British Columbia, covering approximately 73,400 square km. It includes an area reaching from northwest of Fort St. James to the communities along Highway 16 from Cluculz Lake to the Hazeltons.
The area includes four municipalities,
one town, five villages, and fifteen First Nation communities.
Within this region, there are 35, 157 people without access to
broadband
and 1,644 businesses without access.
The project brought high-speed Internet access into selected
communities in the region that had no service or were underserved.
Local Internet Service Providers (ISPs), or the communities
themselves, were the final link to provide the Internet and web services to their residents
and businesses by accessing this new Internet "backbone" service.
The goal was to enable economic development, plus make available
applications such as e-learning, tele-health, and cultural development
in 'every'
community. Local community members were trained to provide technical
support for the systems in their communities where necessary.
The team from Navigata worked closely with local ISPs who
provided the services needed in the communities that can be served
by the two towers. Where there are no ISPs able to provide service,
local communities have begun to step up and form their own community
ISPs.
There is still work ahead and post-project to ensure as many as possible benefit
from the initial Broadband project. The journey has connected many, and others are on their way.
Two Community Futures Development Corporations win Minister’s Award for Excellence and Innovation
March 10, 2006
Vancouver, British Columbia: The Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, is pleased to announce that the Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDC) of Nadina and Stuart-Nechako are the recipients of the 2005 Minister’s Award for Excellence and Innovation for their joint British Columbia Northwest Broadband Initiative (BCNBI).
General Managers Jerry Botti and Keith Federink of the CFDCs of Nadina and Stuart-Nechako respectively accepted the award Thursday evening at the Community Futures Development Association’s (CFDA) Annual General Meeting gala presentation in Vancouver.
The BCNBI is bringing high-speed or broadband Internet access to communities in the Northwest that were previously unserved or underserved by broadband. The initiative is improving the lives of Canadians in these communities by reducing geographic barriers and remoteness, and enhancing opportunities for economic development, telehealth and on-line learning.
The Minister’s Award for Excellence and Innovation is given annually to a CFDC to recognize outstanding achievement in creating an innovative local solution to a local challenge, and to showcase the solution to the rest of British Columbia. Community Futures Development Corporations are part of Western Economic Diversification Canada’s Western Canada Business Service Network.
"This is another excellent example of Community Futures taking a leadership role to enhance the capacity and economic development of rural B.C. communities," said CFDA Chair, Ken White. "We appreciate the confidence and the financial support of Western Economic Diversification Canada and Industry Canada in assisting Community Futures to carry out its mandate."
The CFDCs of Nadina and Stuart-Nechako championed this project on behalf of the BC Northwest Broadband Committee, which represents the high-speed connectivity interests of communities in proximity to Highway 16 from Vanderhoof to the Hazeltons. Close to 44,560 Canadians in four district municipalities, one town, five villages and 15 First Nations communities live in this region. More than 35,000 of these residents had no access to broadband.
Western Economic Diversification Canada invested in the first phase of BC Northwest Broadband Committee’s implementation strategy for high-speed Internet access. Further financial support was provided by Industry Canada under the Broadband for Rural and Northern Development (BRAND) Pilot Program.
BRAND is a national program that is committed to bringing broadband service to rural, remote and Aboriginal communities.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department mandated to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada, through activities that promote and assist Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Communities.
For additional information contact:
Jinny Wu
Communications Officer, Western Economic Diversification
Canada
Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-666-2445
Jerry Botti
General Manager, Community Futures Development Corporation of Nadina
Houston, BC
250-845-2522 or 1-800-556-5539
Keith Federink
General Manager, Community Futures Stuart Nechako
Vanderhoof, BC
250-567-5219 or 1-800-266-0611
