A mega £3.5million funding application to have Gigabit Fibre Broadband installed in the Borough could create up to 118 new jobs, according to government figures.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is hoping to secure the funding from the Department of Culture Media and Sport’s Challenge Fund.
An application was submitted last month, with the outcome expected towards the end of March.
If successful, Council’s project will include: harnessing long-term public sector internet demand, providing gigabit connection vouchers to increase business take-up, upgrading connections into public buildings with fibre and improving access to publicly owned infrastructure.
These approaches focus on improving the business case for the private sector to invest in fibre networks to connect even more homes and businesses.
The value of Council’s application is £2,488,700 for the core infrastructure and a further £1,022,040 for connection vouchers.
Using the Governments figures, a project of this size is likely to help local businesses grow £10-11 million per year and help create 118 new jobs.
Applications from across the UK are being assessed with results expected next month.
Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is also a partner in a Northern Ireland wide application which is being led by Belfast City Council.
