NOW Lunenburg County convened a group of citizens who believe we can solve this problem for ourselves and future generations.
We have a range of expertise. We’ve done the research.
We are committed to making Lunenburg County a better place to live.
>MEET our team
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TINA HENNIGAR
It was clear after Now LCs cross Canada tour: the lack of affordable, reliable, accessible internet is a barrier for people moving here and staying here. While it would be easier to wait for internet service providers to fulfill their promise to bring internet to rural Nova Scotia, we knew we’d have to take action. The consequences of waiting were just too great.
We assembled a team of experts in the field of network delivery, community advocates and those in the business community and after Meeting monthly as a Committee and connecting with various other delivery models, we registered our own Co-Op and are one our way to creating a community owned internet cooperative. We are learning. And with learning comes the risk of failing. But the risk of doing nothing and waiting for someone else to solve our internet issues are far greater. You can reach Tina at [email protected] or call her at 902-523-5725. |
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ELSPETH MCLEAN-WILE
The release of the Ivany Report was a pivotal moment for me. I felt a real need to act and not wait for "someone else to do something" about creating a better future for Lunenburg County.
As a business owner for more than 30 years I have a good understanding of the barriers to business development. Availability of high quality broadband is a serious impediment to growth of businesses and impacts the community's ability to retain and attract young people and families. "I believe we can address this problem locally through a cooperative which will have the interests of our county as a priority. Decisions about the product offering, service and pricing will controlled by people in Lunenburg County. Serving customers will be a priority rather than providing returns to shareholders. " |
LYNN HENNIGAR
Former publisher, business owner and community volunteer, Lynn brings 30+ years of business experience to this work. Lynn believes that with access to high speed internet provided through fibre optic cable communities can realize their potential for a sustainable future where anything is possible. Internet service delivered to cooperatively for the community by the community is a proven model and she's committed to seeing it developed and delivered in Lunenburg County.
[email protected] |
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SHANNA JOUDREY
Moving back to her home town after living in Toronto for 10 years, Shanna felt there should be no reason why “we" don’t have reliable access to what has now become an essential services, the internet. Experiancing challenges growing her business, Details Event & Design Studio, but also hearing the many stories of neighbours, friends and other small business sharing the same frustrations of poor service, expensive prices and those not even able to get service, she decided someone has to do something. Shanna is now helping on a community level to “be heard” by doing her part in making a difference for our future rural landscape.
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HEATHER MACKENZIE-CAREY
For me this project is not about bringing high speed internet access to individuals. It’s about the possibilities of what high speed internet to the entire community of Lunenburg County can bring. I don’t think we can even imagine what we are missing as a collective society because we are not globally connected. Rural living doesn’t need to mean to isolation from the virtual community, it just means a different model to create the connection. And if that means pounding in poles for cable connections as well as fence-line, then I’m in.
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ANDREW BUTTON
After a 15-year career working in rural Atlantic Canada with various businesses and economic development organizations, Andrew founded Mashup Lab (www.mashuplab.ca); a for-more-than-profit company focused on one thing: unlocking the entrepreneurial potential of rural communities. Mashup Lab’s activities fall under three business units; business ideation events, business incubation programming, and 2 rural co-working spaces that operate under the WorkEvolved brand (www.WorkEvolved.ca). In just the past 12 months Mashup Lab has successfully scaled its Dream Business program across all of Nova Scotia, working with 100 aspiring entrepreneurs in 50 different rural communities to start and grow 69 businesses, all while growing the WorkEvolved rural co-working community to 60+ Members in 2 locations. Andrew is also co-founder of Awesome South Shore (www.awesomesouthshore.ca), a community-backed micro-fund that has given away over $50,0000 cash - no strings attached - to people that want to do something awesome in their community. Originally from Stephenville, Newfoundland, Andrew now lives on Nova Scotia’s beautiful South Shore with his wife Eva and his sons Josh (10yrs) and James (12yrs).
www.MashupLab.ca [email protected] STEPHEN SONG
Steve Song is a researcher, entrepreneur, and advocate for cheaper, more pervasive access to communication infrastructure. He is a Fellow in Residence at the Mozilla Foundation. He is also a research associate with the Network Startup Resource Center (NSRC) where he works to expand the use of wireless technologies through shared spectrum strategies. His strong technical knowledge combined with an exceptional ability to communicate technical concepts to non-expert audiences have made his blog (http://manypossibilities.net) a popular destination for anyone interested in African telecommunications and Internet issues. Since 2009, Steve has been actively maintaining public maps of undersea and terrestrial fibre optic infrastructure in Africa. Steve is also the founder of Village Telco, a social enterprise that manufactures low-cost WiFi mesh VoIP technologies to deliver affordable voice and Internet service in under-serviced areas. Previously, Steve worked at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), where he led the organization's ICT and Development program in Africa, funding research into the transformational potential of ICTs.
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VICKI MACDONALD
Initially, I was drawn to this group through our mutual interest in the quest for access to reliable, high quality internet service for rural areas. As an educator in Early Childhood Education, I share the Core values of NOW Lunenburg County and believe that high quality, affordable, reliable internet is vital to our survival as a rural community, and will help prevent outmigration and spur economic development. I am committed to furthering the vitality and growth in Lunenburg County.
I like the idea of a community-based solution because it is an investment in the Community, as opposed to an investment in big telecommunications companies. This solution empowers us to solve our own problems and create our own successes. GREG SINGER
Greg has over 22 years of experience in the Internet Service Provider industry, predominantly in the design, build and maintenance of carrier networks and network security around the world but with extensive experience in supporting systems and applications. Greg is driven by finding solutions to problems and bringing these to the marketplace for the benefit of end users. Greg has a BEng(Hons) and Electronic and Information Engineer and MSc in Electronic Systems from the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland.
Greg has been a resident of Lunenburg County since 2011 and is enjoying the challenge of solving the Internet access issues that the major network providers say can't be addressed. |
