The Project Manager for the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity in Blyth says the recent Rural Talks to Rural Conference confirmed something he's believed for some time.
That would be that internet connectivity is one of the biggest issues facing Huron County and rural Ontario in general. Peter Smith explains several conversations he heard during the conference identified connectivity as an issue in both urban and rural communities. But the isolation of rural communities makes it more important for Huron County.
Smith says he spoke to someone from Revelstock, B. C. who it took a lot of effort, private money and unique partnerships to connect their community, but the result was an influx of people and an increase in business, and currently their biggest problem is finding accommodation for all of the new people. Smith adds that creates another positive; an uptake in the housing industry.
Smith adds what people in Huron County call the last mile was referred to as the first mile at the conference and he prefers that phrase because makes connecting the most remote areas a priority.
