ELKHART, Ind. – Internet provider Surf Broadband Solutions (“Surf”) has given the community of Sterling, Ill., an essential tool for high-tech job training. At a ribbon cutting event held on Friday, May 27, Surf CEO Gene Crusie presented the Whiteside Area Career Center (WACC) with the gift of a fiber-optic splicing machine. The presentation coincides with Surf’s kickoff to construction work that will bring fiber internet infrastructure to the city later this year.
“Fiber splicing is a much-needed commodity for the future of the computer tech industry,” said WACC Director Josh Johnson. “Having a splicer in our building will allow students to gain hands-on skills and set them up for success when pursuing internships or full time jobs in growing technology fields such as telecommunications. WACC is grateful to Surf for their investment in our curriculum and our students.”
Earlier this year, Surf hosted a full-day “Intro to Fiber” field trip for WACC students. The experience included a tour of Surf offices, visiting Surf’s head-end facility which serves as the main control center for Surf’s fiber optic network, and observing an equipment installation appointment for a customer.
“Education initiatives are very important to our company. We see them as an investment not only in our own future workforce but also in the communities and people we serve,” Crusie said.
Surf’s investment in Sterling goes even further as the May 27 ribbon cutting signified the beginning of construction that will ultimately bring fiber internet to town.
“The City of Sterling is excited to partner with Surf to deliver fiber internet access to our residents. Partnering with Surf has allowed us to bring competitively-priced fiber optic internet speeds to residents at no cost to the City. Having this infrastructure in place is a necessity for being a successful 21st century community where people can enjoy the perks of living in a small city while having full access to remote work and the world,” said Sterling Mayor Skip Lee.
“We had overwhelming interest from Sterling residents,” Cruise said. “In some cases, few or no internet services are available. In others, the traditional phone or cable offerings aren’t keeping pace with the needs of users who rely on their internet connections for distance learning, work-from-home, streaming, and more. Surf is committed to serving the Sterling area with an ultra-high capacity, reliable, fiber optic network and we are excited to watch the community’s transformation take place.”
Residents and business owners wanting installation updates by phase can visit Surf’s construction page at https://construction.surfbroadband.com/sterling-il/. Frequent project updates, including detailed mapping, can be found on Surf’s Whiteside County IL Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/whitesidefiber. To see if services are currently available for a specific address, visit https://surfbroadband.com/ and click the orange “Check Availability” button.
About Surf Broadband Solutions
Surf Broadband Solutions (www.surfbroadband.com) is an innovative fiber internet company providing services to residents and businesses in the Great Lakes Region since 2010. Company office locations include La Porte and Elkhart, Ind., Byron Center, Mich., and Coal City and Rock Falls, Ill. In June 2021, Bain Capital Credit, LP, acquired a majority stake in the company and committed significant growth capital to accelerate its fiber optic network expansion. Post Road Group, Surf’s previous majority shareholder, remains an investor alongside Bain Capital Credit to further capitalize the company’s growth plans. Surf’s future network expansion will provide a fast, reliable internet connection essential for everyday living.
About Whiteside Area Career Center
The Whiteside Area Career Center (WACC) is a cooperative endeavor of member school districts and parochial schools serving over 600 students enrolled in its 12 programs. The mission of WACC is to provide all students with employable skills, academic opportunities and specialized training that will maximize their future potential. More information is available online at https://wacc.cc.
Download photo and logo files at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10XOYWDLFUTEEPf-kskl9yE-8zsfDXAwQ?usp=sharing
CAPTION: (left to right) Whiteside Area Career Center leaders Josh Johnson and Owen Harrell are presented with the gift of a fiber-optic splicing machine from Surf Broadband Solutions representatives Jennifer Alvarez, Cesare Bratta, and Gene Cruise. The splicer will be used as part of WACC’s curriculum that gives students hands-on training for high-tech jobs.
CAPTION: Sterling, Ill., city leaders and Whiteside Area Career Center administrators joined Surf Broadband Solutions on May 27, 2022, for a ground breaking to kick off construction that will deliver fiber internet to the city