An amenity most of us take for granted could provide Cherryville with opportunities to flourish.
The community could have high-speed Internet by the end of 2013 as a result of a $250,000 grant from the provincial government.
“This has been over 10 years in the making and this will make a huge difference,” said Eugene Foisy, Cherryville’s regional district director.
“A lot of people would like to come out here to live but they won’t right now. Real estate sales have been lost because there’s no high-speed Internet.”
It’s hoped broad-band service will draw families, which will enrol at the school, and new home-based businesses.
The current dial-up connection has made it virtually impossible for Lisa Larson’s log home company to receive large files for prospective customers. They generally have to go through traditional mail.
“By the time we get something in the mail, 10 other companies have bid on the project,” said Larson.
High-speed service will also allow Larson to expand marketing further for her business.
Parents have gone to great lengths so their children can access Internet for school projects.
“You will see them parked along the roads trying to get cell service,” said resident Bobbe Fox referring to those limited locations where there is high-speed service, specifically the school and library.
Foisy hung up on dial-up Internet years ago.
“I don’t deal with it. I don’t have the patience to sit for hours to download and then it cuts out,” he said.
The total cost to bring high-speed Internet to Cherryville is $300,000 and the Southern Interior Development Initiative has provided $50,000.
Individual pricing for customers to access the service is not known yet.
Lobbying for upgraded Internet came from the Regional District of North Okanagan and Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA.
“This is about economic development and opportunities. It’s hard to do business without high-speed Internet,” said Foster.
Connectivity in B.C. has gone from 82 to 93 per cent since 2001.
“Our goal is to have 100 per cent of British Columbians connected to broad-band by 2021. But that’s too far out. I hope I get a chance to move that up,” said Ben Stewart, citizens services minister.
