The Shuswap Region Broadband Cooperative

In the Shuswap region of BC, people recognized that high-speed internet is a necessity, not a luxury.

According to a press release put out by the Shuswap Economic Development Society (SEDS), “Many rural and underserved areas in the Shuswap still struggle with slow or unreliable connections, limiting access to education, healthcare, remote work, and economic opportunities.”

To solve the problem? The creation of the Shuswap Region Broadband Cooperative.

The broadband co-op, founded by SEDS, Skwlax Group Ltd., and the Village of Chase, aims to build an open-access fibre optic network to serve approximately 2,000 underserved households in rural Shuswap. For the founders, the appeal of a co-operative is that control and the benefits of the business stay local.

“Members shape decisions to meet community needs, keep pricing fair, and reinvest revenue locally to create jobs and fuel economic growth,” the release states.

To get started, the co-op was awarded a grant from the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) to fund the planning and validation phase of the project.

Co-operatives First is proud to have assisted the SRBC in incorporating and starting on its goal of bringing high-speed internet to rural areas!

Back

“Heather and the team at Co-operatives First are top-notch. Not only their knowledge but their understanding of the project. They have truly helped us along every step of the way. Their timely response and knowledge of the steps are extraordinary. They are forthcoming with information. This is one of the most knowledgeable and friendliest teams I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Weyburn Theatre

“Co-operatives First made the process of establishing our Artisan Co-operative a very clear and easy process. The expanse of available tools and resources provided by Co-operatives First answers many questions and lightens the workload. Greatly appreciate having the connections made with Trista and Kyle, they keep the co-operative moving forward.”

Nehiyawaskiy Indigenous Peoples Art Co-op

“Our experience working with the Co-operatives First team was absolutely fabulous. The staff was accommodating, knowledgeable and patient. It was truly a breath of fresh air to have such a wealth of skill and resources available to a non-profit. They were invaluable to our successful launch!”

Heart Linked Community Services Cooperative

“Working with Co-operatives First was fantastic! We are still new to the cooperative world, and we relied heavily on their advice and expertise when drafting our rules/bylaws, and our memorandum of association. The team has experience with many different cooperative models, so they provided advice on what has and hasn’t worked for other cooperatives. We wouldn’t have been able to incorporate without their help!”

Ananda Cooperative

“We have had a very positive experience with everyone at Co-operatives First. They have helped us in multiple ways. Right from the first step in knowing how to incorporate, how to set our business and offering ideas for us to help steer us in the right direction plus allowing us to really make our own decisions. If our decisions go off track, they have gently guided us back to where we needed to be. The Co-operatives first guys are always eager to answer questions, and give ideas to us that got us off the ground.”

South East Butcher Block