For immediate release July 29, 2005

KAWARTHA LAKES CFDC ANNOUNCES BROADBAND INITIATIVE

Working in collaboration with the 15 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) of Eastern Ontario and the “Eastern Ontario Broadband Coalition”, the Kawartha Lakes CFDC is pleased to announce that it has received support through the Eastern Ontario Development Fund—Regional Initiatives programming, to conduct a gap analysis and develop an action plan for dramatically increasing broadband penetration and access to high-speed Internet services throughout Eastern Ontario.

“We are extremely pleased that Industry Canada/FedNor and the CFDCs from Keswick to Cornwall recognize the urgent need for improved delivery of broadband/high speed Internet throughout rural Eastern Ontario”, said Paul Thompson, Chair of the Kawartha Lakes CFDC. “Our role is to help facilitate a process by which this can be done in as effective and efficient manner as possible across the entire region”.

The Eastern Ontario Broadband Coalition will develop a methodology to provide the baseline data needed for the delivery of a broadband analysis and provide a comprehensive up-to-date broadband gap analysis of under serviced businesses, institutions and residences in Eastern Ontario. The costs of narrowing the identified gap will be completed in cooperation with local community stakeholders and a recommendation will be made as how to achieve the objective of maximizing the penetration of broadband/high speed Internet services across Eastern Ontario.

“The Eastern Ontario Broadband Coalition took shape through a series of meetings beginning in January of this year.” states Andrew Wallen, General Manager of the Kawartha Lakes CFDC, the lead CFDC for the project. “We greatly appreciate the vision of this group, and the support of the Government of Canada, as we work together towards something that will benefit all of us. It is our goal to have the information ready in a presentation format by the fall of this year. From there we look to determine the interest in delivering this increased service—and all the benefits it can bring—back to our communities.”

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) is a Government of Canada initiative which seeks to promote socio-economic development in rural Eastern Ontario, encourage a competitive and diversified regional economy, and contribute to the successful development of business and job opportunities and sustainable, self-reliant communities. The EODF responds to a commitment made by the Government of Canada in Budget 2005 to assist economic renewal in Eastern Ontario by investing in the local economy.

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For more information, please contact:

Andrew Wallen.

General Manager.

Kawartha Lakes CFDC.

705-328-0261.