The Municipality of Pictou County is looking to develop its own high-speed internet network in 
order to serve the entire population at a reasonable rate. The county decided to take this route as offers from internet companies only included portions of the county.
Pictou County was planning on cost sharing the project with the federal government and the province, with the county noting both bodies set aside funds for such projects. While the federal funding is pending, with a county release stating council is working closely on the matter with Central Nova MP Sean Fraser, Pictou County Warden Robert Parker said the answer from the province is no.
Development Nova Scotia administers the Nova Scotia Internet Trust fund and issued a request for bidders. The county states after being advised the Pictou bid was successful, it was later re-evaluated and dropped. The county states they lost out because of the scope of the project and wanting to help 11,500 underserved residents . However, the county says provincial money would go to other internet groups looking to deliver service in the area.
The county appealed to Business Minister Geoff MacLellan, who met with council in January, and despite letters of support from surrounding municipalities and the local business community, they received no further response from MacLellan.
Despite this, Parker said the county will push forward with the project.
The next step, Parker said is to move forward, noting council is looking to make due on a promised high speed internet network for residents.