ELKHART, Ind. (July 28, 2023) – Surf Internet℠ is proud to announce the commencement of the next phase in its mission to bring fiber-optic internet to DeKalb County. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Waterloo, Ind., on July 25, marking the beginning of a significant construction project that will deliver fiber-optic internet to nearly 1,000 addresses in the town of Waterloo, Ind. Present at the ceremony were representatives from Surf, the Town of Waterloo, the Waterloo Town Council, and the Waterloo Business Association.
Representatives from Surf, the Town of Waterloo, the Waterloo Town Council, and Waterloo Business Association pose for a photo at the groundbreaking event held on July 25 at the Waterloo Town Hall to mark the start of Surf’s construction project that will deliver fiber-optic internet services to the Town of Waterloo, Ind. Photo courtesy of KPC Media Group.
Surf is no stranger to the area. Last month the company successfully completed the construction of a fiber network for DeKalb County Schools. To do so, Surf invested approximately $1 million of their own capital, supplemented by funding through the Federal E-rate program, which helps schools and libraries obtain affordable broadband. The project established a core network that will serve as the foundation for the extension of fiber internet to Waterloo residential and commercial areas, as well as broader DeKalb County.
Gene Crusie, CEO of Surf Internet, expressed his pride in the initiative, stating, “We are thrilled to do our part to improve the educational opportunities available for the people of DeKalb County. Now, by bringing fiber internet to the homes and businesses of Waterloo, we are helping transform the way people here live, work, and grow.”
Surf is contributing $1.2 million in Waterloo to provide fiber to 905 addresses, a mix of residential and commercial areas. The completion of all phases of the project is expected by November 2023. Surf plans to pursue Indiana Next Level Connection (NLC) Round 4 funding to expand the fiber network to unserved residences outside of Waterloo in 2024.
“The Waterloo Town Council is pleased that Surf Internet is initiating work to provide the residents and businesses of Waterloo with high-speed, fiber-optic internet service,” said Jess Jessup, Waterloo Council President. “This service will provide the most up-to-date internet connection and will enhance our businesses’ competitiveness and the standard of living for our residents. We welcome Surf Internet!”
The work in Waterloo is part of Surf’s overall commitment to build an advanced fiber-optic network serving rural communities across the Great Lakes Region of Indiana, Illinois, 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 170-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.