SWIFT announced yesterday that it has completed the procurement phase of its regional broadband expansion program and has awarded contracts for 95 projects in Southwestern Ontario. The program will see investments totaling $268 million in broadband infrastructure to bring high-speed internet access to

63,254 households and businesses across the region.

“The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) recognized early on that universal access to high-speed broadband connectivity is fundamental to the continued relevance and future prosperity of small urban and rural communities in Southwestern Ontario. To address broadband service gaps throughout the region, SWIFT, initiated by the combined connectivity interests of the WOWC, was formed in 2016. Today, we are pleased to see the completion of the procurement phase of the project with outstanding results. We would like to thank all our partners including the Federal, Provincial and Municipal levels of government and the internet service providers for their collaborative participation in the program. And while the SWIFT program has successfully over-achieved all its targeted goals, we acknowledge there is still more work to be done across our region to ensure that all residents living in Southwestern

Ontario have equitable access to fast, reliable broadband service,” said Warden George Cornell, Chair of WOWC.

A marketing initiative to showcase the Sarnia-Lambton area has received an international “gold medal” from the Hermes Creative Awards. The marketing initiative went to print early last year following extensive research, consultation, and development, resulting in the production of a marketing brochure for each of the Sarnia-Lambton area’s eleven local municipalities.

"I am very pleased that Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership has been recognized with this award. The creation of the Sarnia-Lambton Community Prospectus Documents showcases each municipality, what it offers, as well as business opportunities,” said Kevin Marriott, Warden for County of Lambton. “Many municipalities have never before had this information consolidated into a professional document to use for resident and business attraction.”

Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is pleased to have been able to produce this award-winning series that will continue to positively impact the Sarnia-Lambton area in a variety of ways. The project, led by SLEP, was cost-shared with the Government of Ontario’s Rural Economic Development program. The documents can be viewed online at:

The Oxford Shopping Channel - Rural Oxford Series, is a video playlist promoting dozens of local rural businesses; brought to you by Rural Oxford Economic Development, Community Futures Oxford, The Social Factory, Puffin Media & Tourism Oxford.

The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (SBEC) at Invest WindsorEssex has successfully concluded the RE3: Rebuild, Reopen, Revive program, delivering nearly $1.8 million in funding to 379 women-led small- and medium-sized businesses in southern Ontario. These contributions assisted businesses in maintaining 2,428 jobs and creating an additional 479 jobs since the program launch in May 2020.