Final Mile Rural Connectivity Initiative gets go-ahead from MD Council

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

The Final Mile Rural Connectivity Initiative was again a topic of discussion for The MD of Pincher Creek No. 9 Council at their April 24 meeting. The Provincial initiative aims to ensure that 97% of Albertans have access to high-speed internet, with an emphasis on rural areas.

According to Director of Operations Leo Reedyk's report on the subject:

    "There are a number of residents within the municipality that do not currently have high speed internet access via hard wire or radio transmission. The Provincial Government has indicated that the initiative applies to households who have a download speed less than 1.5Mbps. The majority of users within the Municipal District have service above the threshold. When discussing the initiative with a local internet service provider the we were advised that installing additional towers and infrastructure for the few households per location was cost prohibitive for service providers to do alone." 

Reedyk advised Council that they should determine whether to pursue the project further and if so they should prepare a request for proposals.  According to his report, "In order to develop the proposal to a workable and fair arrangement, a request for proposals would need to be initiated to identify companies who are prepared to partner with the municipality on this initiative."

Deputy Reeve Yagos wondered "What might happen to local companies like Tough Country if we go ahead with this?"  Reedyk said it would likely be a more expensive service, and could possibly provide a better service than that currently in place in some areas.

"Where does the MD qualify?" Yagos asked.  Reedyk replied that potential areas might be in areas like Maycroft Road, Castle River Flats around Highway 507, Gladstone Valley, Spread Eagle Road, the east end of Halifax Flats, and north of Spring Point Colony.  A total of 8 areas in the MD were identified as being potentially eligible.

Reedyk reminded Council that there was a stringent criteria for Provincial funding, which among other things would require the MD to maintain the infrastructure for five years.

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development would be the granting agency for the initiative.  If approved, Provincial funding would pay for 75% of the project.  The MD would have to ensure the remainder was covered, an amount estimated in 2003 at $50,000.

Reedyk also suggested the finished result might accommodate MD communications greatly, reducing the need for multiple kinds of communication gear needed to cover the rural areas by MD workers.

Council voted unanimously to accept a motion by Councillor Berg to approve Reedyk's recommendations and write a request for proposals.