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Worcs residents invited to back broadband fund applications
Council chiefs in Worcestershire have called for residents to submit expressions of interest for super-fast broadband funding.
The local authority is set to hold two dedicated events in January where attendees will be helped to submit expressions of interest for three public sector schemes - the Green Infrastructure Fund, the Worcestershire Local Sustainable Transport Fund and the Rural Community Broadband Fund.
Sums of £400,000 and £300,000 respectively are up for grabs in the first two initiatives, while the third offers a total of £20 million across the whole country.
These sessions will be held at County Hall on January 9th and 12th 2012, and community representatives are being encouraged to book time slots in advance if they are keen to attend.
Council chiefs have organised the meetings to support the county's plans to improve current levels of internet connectivity. The local authority is aiming to deliver universal speeds of 2Mbps, with super-fast broadband access for 90 per cent of homes and businesses.
At present, 59 per cent of Worcestershire receives super-fast broadband speeds, while 19 per cent of properties are stuck with download capabilities of less than 2Mbps, according to Ofcom.
These three funding opportunities come in addition to the £8.5 million allocation pledged by Worcestershire County Council (WCC) and the £3.3 million of state aid that will be made available if its local broadband plan is approved by Broadband Delivery UK.
Further money for the project will be sought from private sector telecoms firms.
David Thain, WCC's cabinet member for transformation and change, commented: "I would urge communities to consider local solutions and to take up the offer of support with the expressions of interest processes to access funding.
"We will continue to work to make super-fast broadband a reality across Worcestershire whilst striving to make improvements and streamline county council services through better use of technology."