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Sault area gets expanded cell phone coverage

The Ontario Government announced today that it will spend $3.5 million to extend cellular phone coverage to areas of Algoma District that are currently not serviced. Northern Development and Mines Minister and Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp.
RickBartolucci

The Ontario Government announced today that it will spend $3.5 million to extend cellular phone coverage to areas of Algoma District that are currently not serviced.

Northern Development and Mines Minister and Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. Chair Rick Bartolucci (shown) and Sault MPP David Orazietti made the announcement today at the Roberta Bondar Building,

Cell phone service will be expanded along Highway 17 between Sault Ste. Marie and White River and along Highway 101 between Wawa and Chapleau.

Ssrvice will also be extended to Hornepayne, Dubreuilville and Searchmount.

The following is the written announcement issued today by the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines:

********************** Ontario Government supports economic growth in Algoma District

Cellular service expansion will attract new investment

CHAPLEAU — The Ontario government is encouraging investment in Northern Ontario by supporting the expansion of cellular telephone service in Algoma District, Northern Development and Mines Minister and Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) Chair Rick Bartolucci announced today.

"When the McGuinty government presented its first budget a few weeks ago, the extraordinary - and largely untapped — potential of the North, was acknowledged," Bartolucci said.

"This service will provide a more level playing field on which Algoma may pursue new economic development activities."

The NOHFC is investing $3.5 million to extend cellular phone coverage to unserviced areas of Algoma District.

The Algoma District Community Network (ADnet), in partnership with Superior Wireless Inc., will coordinate the project.

AdNet was established along with other Northern Community Based Networks to foster information technology development in Northern Ontario.

"This expansion of cellular service will help Algoma District compete more fairly in the regional marketplace," said Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Brown.

"With this infrastructure in place, new investment is more likely for the area, resulting in increased economic development activity and job creation."

The project will expand cellular telephone service along Highway 17 between Sault Ste. Marie and White River, along Highway 101 between Wawa and Chapleau as well as to the communities of Hornepayne, Dubreuilville and Searchmount.

"Investments such as this one clearly demonstrate the McGuinty government's commitment to working with northerners to build more prosperous northern communities," added Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti.

A key initiative of the McGuinty government's Northern Prosperity Plan is to continue vital Northern Ontario Heritage Fund investments in community infrastructure.

New NOHFC programs will be announced soon.

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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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