MINTO SOCIETY FUNDING
Minto Comm received a provincial grant in April 2010 from Network BC for a total of $148,500 to upgrade/complete infrastructure in the Gun Lake, Tyaughton Lake and Gold Bridge communities. A federal grant to match it from Industry Canada was awarded soon after. Please click here for more information on the Insustry Canada and Network BC Grants.
Minto Comm would also like to thank Blackcomb Aviation for their generous donation of heli time to erect the mountain top towers.
We received the following corporate cash donations in 2008:
$ 5,000 - Tyax Mountain Resort
$ 5, 000 - TLH Heliskiing
$ 1, 000 - BC Hydro
$10,000 - SLRD*
* Russ Oakley (SLRD) has committed to provide $5000 for each community in the BRV that receives high speed internet service. In 2008 we provided service to Gun Lake and Tyaughton Lake. In the spring of 2009 we will provide service to Gold Bridge. Due to lack of funding it is unlikely that we will be able to provide service to Gun Creek Rd and Bralorne until 2010 at the earliest.
Residents of Gun Lake have provided $20,000 in loans to the Society to fund the launch the network in 2008.
Funding for the Minto Communications Society will come from a revenue stream generated by subscribers to the system, and from grants and donations from public and private institutions. Participating in infrastructure grants are the Province of B.C., the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District and a variety of public companies and private organizations.
The Directors of the Minto Communications Society will set a schedule of fees for systems users. These fees will include installation charges and any extraordinary fees that may be applicable.
When funding is available, the Minto Communications Society will provide internet service free of charge (not including installation) to students of all educational institutions, and to all community service organizations. Students enrolled in the local elementary school, secondary programs provided over the internet, community colleges and universities will be eligible for this service. The community service organizations intended to receive this service are the the Bridge River Valley Economic Development Society, the Gold Bridge Community Club and the Bralorne Museum. Minto Communications board voted to provide free internet service to library patrons of Gold Bridge as of 2010. Any other community organizations wishing to receive this service are encouraged to apply to the Minto Communications Society.
Grants and donations to the Minto Communications Society will be of two types:
1. System Infrastructure Grants
These monies will be utilized to purchase equipment, build towers and provide other equipment and materials necessary for constructing and operating a high-speed internet system throughout the Bridge River Valley.
2. Community Service Grants
These monies will be utilized specifically to provide internet service to students and community organizations. The costs of providing these services will come from Community Service Grants. The cost determination for each community-service subscriber will include the regular monthly charge and a system infrastructure estimate. This service will be provided only to the extent permitted by the funds available.
The priorities for allocating funds in the form of System Infrastructure Grants and monthly useage charges will be as follows:
1. System Operation
2. System Improvement (e.g. increasing reliability, system redundancy)
3. System Expansion into areas of this community not previously served
4. Improving Service levels
In the event priorities 1, 2, and 3 from above have been dealt with, and the Society has an appropriate contingency fund in place, fees must be lowered by the Directors to maintain a status as a non-profit organization.
In the event funding for Community Service Grants exceeds the need, surplus funds will be transferred to the General Budget, and utilized to lower monthly fees.
The above was approved and adopted by the Directors of the Minto Communications Society at a Board of Directors Meeting, held on October 12, 2008.