The provincial government announced $179,040 in funding for the remote northern community to purchase and install two 200-foot broadband towers

A remote First Nation community is improving its network connectivity with the help of the provincial government, which will improve education, health care, and business opportunities.

Greg Rickford, minister of energy, northern development and mines and minister of Indigenous affairs, announced on Feb. 11 that the Keewatinook Okimakanak is receiving $179,040 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. for the purchase and installation of two 200-foot broadband towers.

“On behalf of my council and the entire membership, we wish to express our appreciation to the Ontario government, especially NOHFC and the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, for providing the funding required to upgrade our internet capacity," said Chief David Masakeyash, Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation.

"We are better positioned for tomorrow to compete for business and other opportunities that are now possible with this modernizing of our communications."

The addition of the two towers will allow the community, through Kuhkenah Network Computer Services, to improve broadband capacity.

The network will help improve services at community facilities, including the e-learning centre, the band office, community centre, and health centre telemedicine office.

"As a part of our plan to build Ontario together, our government is proud to invest in broadband infrastructure projects that are strengthening communication networks across the north," Rickford said in a media release.

"By improving broadband access in the Mishkeegogamang community, Keewaytinook Okimakanak's broadband project will bring new economic and educational opportunities and help build a safer and connected community."

Mishkeegogamang is located approximately 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.

This story originally appeared on TBNewsWatch.com.