The multi-year investment in Grant County is on track to reach half the county’s population by 2026
MARION, Ind. (April 21, 2025) – Surf Internet® is approaching a key milestone in Grant County, with nearly 1,000 customers now connected to high-speed fiber-optic internet. This achievement reflects years of local investment and commitment to expanding access to reliable broadband service.
Surf was the first to bring fiber-optic internet directly to homes in communities like Gas City, Jonesboro, and Marion, Ind. The technology offers faster speeds and greater reliability than other types of internet service, making it well-suited for the growing demands of households and businesses.
The company is now investing nearly $30 million to expand its 100 percent fiber network and reach more than half the county’s population by 2026. To date, Surf has placed fiber in front of more than 4,000 homes in Grant County.
“Broadband infrastructure plays a critical role in economic development, and Surf’s investment in Grant County supports our efforts to connect residents, students, and businesses across the region,” said Chuck Binkerd, Executive Director of the Grant County Economic Growth Council. “We appreciate their commitment to being part of this community for the long haul.”
In addition to private investment, Surf is partnering with state and federal broadband programs to bring reliable internet to unserved and underserved areas. Through the Indiana Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program (Round 4), Surf is expanding service to nearly 2,000 rural homes in Grant County. The company also participates in the Indiana Connectivity Program, which helps identify and fund buildouts to addresses without adequate internet access.
“We believe a rising tide raises all ships and that is why we have taken a broad approach to addressing the digital divide in Grant County. Before we ever started offering home service, we were deploying fiber to many of the area’s schools,” said Gene Crusie, CEO of Surf Internet. “We’re focused on building an all-fiber network that’s built to last with clear pricing, long-term affordability, reliable service, and responsive customer support.”
Surf’s project in Grant County is also supported through its membership in the Accord Telecommunications Collaborative, a middle-mile fiber network operator owned by 26 service providers across the Midwest. The Accord network helps expand broadband capacity and reliability by connecting rural communities through shared infrastructure.
“Accord is very excited to partner with Surf Internet on its Grant County project, as this network will fill some important gaps in the Accord network—ultimately meaning better connectivity for our members and the communities we serve,” said James Tanneberger, CEO of Accord and President and CEO of South Central Indiana REMC.
To check service availability and learn more about Surf Internet’s ongoing buildout plans in Grant County, visit www.surfinternet.com.
About Surf Internet
Surf Internet is an innovative fiber-optic internet company that serves as the essential gateway to connectivity across the Great Lakes region of Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. The company is building a bridge to the wide-open future by delivering high-speed, reliable internet to homes and businesses in underserved, rural communities. Surf’s 300-plus-person team is local, giving them an edge when it comes to customer care and advocacy for the region. Headquartered in Elkhart, Ind., Surf also has offices in La Porte, Ind., Byron Center and Fowlerville, Mich., and Coal City, Naperville, and Rock Falls, Ill. Learn more at https://surfinternet.com.
