Internet in Rural Communities

Authors

  • Jennifer Schnier

Abstract

Honey Harbour in the Township of Georgian Bay has been identified by the Muskoka Growth Strategy as the number one community in Muskoka for residential growth. As a waterfront community with limited ability to expand geographically, the community looked to the Internet for sustainable economic development options. The question being: ‘if the Internet was available for the travelling public, would the travelling public use it, how would they use it, and what would it mean for the community?’

Wi-fi was offered at no cost to the community, in the community centre with little advertising, to determine need. Its results exceeded the expectations of the community, stakeholders, and businesses, drawing traffic and attention to the community in the summer of 2014. The timing of the project was serendipitous, coinciding with funding announcements from the Government of Canada for small community development as well as broadband and connectivity.

Keywords: Internet, rural, broadband, Wi-Fi, local economic development, connectivity

Author Biography

Jennifer Schnier

Jennifer Schnier is a full time employee for the Township of Georgian Bay in the District of Muskoka in the capacity of Communications and Economics Officer. Jennifer is presently enrolled part time in the Masters of Local Economic Development at the University of Waterloo Jennifer is married with 5 children, and lives in Muskoka. Jennifer is relentlessly advocating for increased speeds for Internet for all communities in Muskoka, but is biased to do research in Georgian Bay. Jennifer is the Vice Chair of the Muskoka Community Network, after stepping down from the position of Chair after 5 years to concentrate on her studies. Jennifer is presently in application with FedNor and Infrastructure Canada to advocate for speeds/capacity in Georgian Bay. 

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Published

2014-07-25

Issue

Vol. 14

Section

Articles