St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency
Human Services Center
80 State Highway 310 Suite 6, Canton, New York 13617-1496
Phone: (315) 379-9806 Fax: (315) 386-2573
Raymond H. Fountain
Chief Executive Officer
BENCHMARK
Project:
Address:
Start Date:
New Horizons Wireless, Inc.
Lisbon, NY
March 30, 2011
Overview:
New Horizons Wireless, Inc. is a wireless telecommunications business that will provide
wireless internet service to rural areas of St. Lawrence County. The company was
formed in Nevada in August 2008, but has been dormant until October 2010 while owner
Chad Rice has been focusing on developing the business plan.
Mr. Rice has identified a billing and network management platform and has been
developing his website. He has been working with local municipalities and farmers to
use their structures to mount transmission signals thus eliminating the capital cost of
expensive towers. In return, the Critical Community Facilities (CCF-police stations, fire
stations, etc.) will not be charged for internet service. The company began providing
service in October of 2010.
New Horizons Wireless, Inc. is pursuing grant and loan funds from the St. Lawrence
County LDC for equipment and working capital to help with start-up costs.
Actions Taken:
St. Lawrence County Local Development Corporation
Microenterprise Grant Program (MGP) ..................................................................$35,000
St. Lawrence County Local Development Corporation
Microenterprise Revolving Loan Fund (MRLF) ......................................................$20,000
Economic Indicators:

Job Creation – This project will assist in generating 4 FTE jobs over the next three
years.

Targeted Employment Opportunity – The purpose of the MGP and the MRLF is to
create employment opportunities for persons of low-moderate income (LMI). This
project provides assistance to an entrepreneur who meets the LMI guidelines.

Other Financing Leveraged:
Private Equity ..................................................................................................$31,000

Targeted Business – This project is in line with the Microenterprise Grant Program
objective to target assistance to businesses which provide services in a community
where they are not currently found. New Horizons Wireless is focusing on rural
parts of the County where internet service is not currently available.