Select Page

Apr 10, 2024

Press Release – For immediate release

Surf Internet Breaks Ground to Expand Fiber-Optic Internet in Cassopolis and Dowagiac, Michigan

Surf representatives Rachel Bakunas, Mark Burlison, and Jim Morris join Cassopolis Village President David Johnson and Village representatives Ben Anderson and Tonia Betty, along with Zach Brasda, CHR Resident Engineer, to pose for a photo during the Cassopolis groundbreaking on March 27, 2024.

Elkhart, Ind. (April 10, 2024) – Surf Internet® is proud to announce the next phase in bringing fiber-optic internet to the residents of southwestern Michigan. Two groundbreaking ceremonies were held on Wednesday, March 27, in both Cassopolis and Dowagiac, celebrating the start of construction to extend fiber-optic internet to households and businesses throughout the two communities.

Surf is investing roughly $4 million in private capital between the two cities to connect over 3,000 addresses between now and the end of the year. Over 1,100 passings will run through Cassopolis, with nearly 2,000 coming to the city of Dowagiac. Surf is further expanding fiber-optic internet this year just north in the village of Decatur, Michigan.

“These two communities have been overlooked for years,” said Surf CEO Gene Crusie. “Now, we are furthering our commitment to the area by expanding our network to households and businesses, offering them greater choice in providers and access to future proof blazing fast internet.”

Surf representatives Rachel Bakunas, Mark Burlison, and Jim Morris along with Dowagiac City Council members Pat Bakeman and Jim Dodd, and CHR team members Teresa Luce, Zach Brasda, and Chad Joyner pose for a photo during the Dowagiac groundbreaking on March 27, 2024.

Construction for all phases of the project is slated for completion by the fall for Cassopolis, and end of the year for Dowagiac. Upon completion customers will be able receive speeds up to 2Gig with expansion to higher speeds in the near future.

“The Village of Cassopolis is so happy to welcome Surf Internet to the community, ” said Tonia Betty, Village Clerk of Cassopolis. “Low cost, fiber internet service for our residents is an essential service — Everyone deserves access to high speed internet whether it’s for work, school or personal use. We look forward to continued partnership and continued growth.”

The work in southwestern Michigan is part of Surf’s overall commitment to build an advanced fiber-optic network serving rural communities across the Great Lakes Region of Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Updates on construction are available on the company’s website at https://construction.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 200-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 and Rock Falls, Ill. Learn more at https://surfinternet.com.