CityWest, North Coast Regional District create joint partnership for service expansion

The North Coast Regional District Board and CityWest, the city of Prince Rupert owned communication company have announced a joint partnership agreement, the new venture one designed to improve broadband connectivity across the region for unserved and underserved communities.

The partnership was finalized following the NCRD Board meeting of August 19th and as we noted in early September, the NCRD Board had voted to approve grant funding contribution of $505,828 dollars as part of the agreement they announced at that time.

The CityWest announcement of Friday, October 28th and a Regional District advisory of October 31st notes that the NCRD will levy a portion of the capital costs through a gas tax transfer.

As to what's ahead for that capital build, City west outlines where the work will take place and how it will benefit NCRD communities.

The partnership will see CityWest services brought to unserved and underserved communities in the NCRD with a portion of the profits going back into the NCRD for community projects. 

CityWest has already committed to bringing their services to communities within the NCRD, which will now have a partnership agreement in place. 

To date, CityWest and the NCRD have plans to deliver services to Daajing Giids, Masset, Tlell, Tow Hill, Dodge Cove, and Oona River.

For Stefan Woloszyn, CEO of CityWest the partnership provides more opportunity to serve communities in the region.

“This partnership with the NCRD will help us bring better connectivity to even more unserved and underserved communities in our backyard. As a company that was founded in Prince Rupert, it’s exciting for us to serve more communities in the area. We are grateful for this partnership with the NCRD and look forward to working with them for years to come” 

The prospect of improved internet access for residents was key for Des Nobels, NCRD Vie Chair and representative for Electoral Area A.

“Access to reliable Internet has been an issue for many residents in the NCRD. Our partnership with CityWest paves the way for better connectivity and future economic growth in our region.”

You can review the full announcement from CityWest here.

The Regional District version of the news is available here.

The expansion of services a little closer to the Third Avenue West Head office comes after a summer and fall of CityWest announcements of partnerships across the Northwest and to Vancouver Island communities.

More notes on CityWest can be reviewed here.

Items of Interest from Regional District can be explored here.