A board of directors has been appointed for the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology project.
Lambton County Warden Bev MacDougall will serve as vice-chair, alongside her counterpart from Simcoe County, Gerry Marshall, who was confirmed as chair.
Board members include Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope and Ontario Federation of Agriculture President Don McCabe.
In July, the provincial and federal governments announced funding of up to $180-million for ultra-high speed internet for 300 communities in southwestern Ontario.
Private sector providers and communities will also contribute with Lambton County's share estimated at about $1-million over five years.
One of the board's first motions is to hire staff and consultants to begin the request for proposal process with providers.
