Feature Article August 21, 2002
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LOLCN gets grant: feds promise money for broadbandby David Brison The Honourable Andy Mitchell, Secretary of State (Rural Development) was in Sharbot Lake on August 13 to announce funding of $31,871 under the research component of the Canadian Agricultural Rural Communities Initiative (CARCI) for the Land OLakes Communications Network (LOLCN). The grant was accepted by Jim MacPherson, Coordinator of the LOLCN. Mr. Mitchell was accompanied by Larry McCormick, MP for Hastings, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington. Larry is recovering from heart surgery and the visit to Sharbot Lake is evidence that he is getting back into the swing of things.
The research project will examine how information and communication technology could be the catalyst in creating economic and social development in the farm and agri-business sector in the counties of Frontenac, Lennox & Addington. It will specifically determine what information technology can do for the area, look at ways of overcoming barriers to its use, and implement applications that will support economic diversification and development.
The Government of Canada believes that the solution to community development lie in the communities themselves, said Mr. Mitchell Our role is to be a partner in helping to identify those solutions that come from the grassroots of communities.
In his role as Secretary of State (Rural Development) Mr. Mitchell has, according to Larry McCormick, proven to be an effective advocate for rural communities. He keeps a watching brief on all government policy initiatives in order to ensure that rural interests are looked after.
In response to a question from The News, Mitchell indicated that the Rural Broadband initiative is back on track. $105 million has been put aside for high speed Internet access. Mr. Mitchell said that high-speed access is a necessity not a luxury, as some pundits from urban areas have stated. Those of us in rural areas know that we are disadvantaged because we cant communicate adequately with those in urban areas, who not only have high-speed access but assume that we do too. Students cant download admissions information from universities; government online information takes an inordinate time to download; photographs sent by friends and relatives tie up the computer for hours; and conferencing with colleagues who have high-speed access is almost impossible.
Mr. Mitchell said that he knows he doesnt have to convince rural residents that high-speed access is a necessity. He further implied that it would benefit everyone, both rural and urban residents, if rural areas are strengthened through initiatives like the LOLCN research and development grant and the Rural Broadband thrust. Urban and rural Canada have to work together. We will be successful when all parts of the country are sound, Mitchell said.
