The Chase council is supporting the village's reinstatement in a broadband network joint funding application after the province excluded it and other areas from the project.
The initiative first came to council at the June 25 meeting, when they authorized the village to join the Shuswap Broadband Project co-operative with the Shuswap Economic Development Society (SEDS) and Skwlāx te Secwepemculecw. SEDS recently applied for funding to build the broadband network throughout the South Thompson-Shuswap, and while it was approved by the province, some areas were excluded. Being one of those areas excluded from the funding, Chase council is working to remedy that.
“There’s a significant funding application in to the province to the Connecting Communities BC program and we’re really hoping that we can be included in it. Turtle Valley and Chase Falkland Valley area were included in the application but have been excluded by the province," chief administrative officer Joni Heinrich explained.
"So we’re advocating on their behalf as well as our own.”
The network would provide a high-speed Internet connection to allow for fast and reliable data transmission that is essential in downloading large files, video conferencing, streaming videos and online gaming.
Council unanimously approved the staff recommendation to write a letter to the province in support of the village, Turtle Valley and the Chase Falkland Valley being included in the funding application.
