The communities of Ruth Lake and Deka Lake, as well as the Village of Clinton now have access to high-speed internet.
According to a news release by the B.C. government's Ministry of Citizen's Services, two connectivity projects built and operated by Telus have been completed which have provided access to "faster, more reliable internet services" for 444 households in Clinton, as well as 746 households in areas around Ruth Lake and Deka Lake.
Additionally, the B.C. government invested $2-million in the Clinton project, as well as more than $3.1-million in the Ruth Lake and Deka Lake project through the Connecting British Columbia program, administered by the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT).
"The Connecting British Columbia and Connecting Communities BC funding programs support projects to expand high-speed internet access to rural and remote areas, levelling the playing field for British Columbians," the ministry statedin the press release.
Margo Wagner, the chair of the Cariboo Regional District (CRD), and who also represents Electoral Area H, which covers Ruth Lake, said the connectivity project is a "vital step toward bridging the digital divide in the Cariboo region."
"By improving internet access, we are empowering our residents with better opportunities for education, health care and economic growth," Wagner said in the news release.
Roland Stanke, the Mayor of Clinton, thanked the Connecting British Columbia program, as well as a decade of advocacy by the village as to why people in Clinton now have access to high-speed internet.
"This increased connectivity will help attract new businesses, support local entrepreneurs and encourage families in Clinton as their home by making it easier to stay connected to services and each other," Stanke said.
