Huron County's CAO provided county council with an update on progress on the SWIFT project at this week's meeting.
It didn't take long as Brenda Orchard explained there was little to report because nothing's happened in three months. Council is still waiting for answers.
The SWIFT project is a plan to bring broadband service to all of the rural communities in Southwestern Ontario. Huron County's concern is that local providers in Huron, who have already provided the service to most of the county, will be left out of the project in favour of larger providers like Bell and Rogers. Councillors have asked the Western Wardens for assurances and a commitment before Huron commits to funding the project.
Orchard points out SWIFT has a funding request in to the federal and provincial governments and her concern is that Huron is going to be asked for financial support in the form of matching dollars before councillors questions are answered.
Orchard adds if Huron County decided to support the project they would likely take funds out of reserves to do it. She says the next Western Wardens meeting is in February.
