Mayor Chuck Steele cuts the ribbon alongside community leaders and Surf Internet representatives to mark the arrival of fiber-optic internet service in Momence, Ill., on Sept. 24, 2025.
MOMENCE, Ill., Oct. 1, 2025—Surf Internet® announced at a community ribbon cutting on September 24 that residents and businesses in Momence now have access to fiber-optic internet, with service in nearby Grant Park launching soon. Construction plans are also underway in Beecher, where service is expected to go live before the end of the year. Together, the three communities form a corridor along Illinois Route 1 that will soon be connected by Surf’s multi-gig fiber network, reaching more than 4,200 addresses.
Surf has served this part of Illinois since 2002 through fixed wireless internet. The move to fiber marks a major step forward for residents and businesses, while also tying eastern Illinois communities into Surf’s broader network in northwest Indiana. This project also establishes a foundation for future rural builds in the surrounding Kankakee and Will counties.
“Having been a part of this region for more than 20 years, it’s exciting to take the next step with them and deliver transformational fiber-optic internet that will support local families and businesses for decades to come,” said Surf CEO Gene Crusie.
“For communities our size, infrastructure like this makes all the difference,” said Momence Mayor Chuck Steele. “Fiber internet keeps us competitive with larger cities, while making sure our residents and businesses don’t have to leave town to find the opportunities they deserve.”
The projects represent an estimated $5.25 million investment by Surf, reaching 1,135 locations in Momence, 568 in Grant Park, and 2,503 in Beecher. Customers will have access to Surf’s multi-gig fiber internet, starting with 2 Gig plans designed to power remote work, online learning, healthcare, and advanced digital services.
This private investment complements Surf’s ambitions under the state’s Connect Illinois program and positions the company well for upcoming federal BEAD awards, both of which are expected to play a transformational role in expanding broadband access across the state.
Residents can check address availability and follow construction progress by visiting surfinternet.com/construction/illinois/.
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 maintains local Illinois offices in Coal City, Rock Falls, and Naperville, with additional regional offices in La Porte, Ind., and Byron Center, Howell, and Fowlerville, Mich. Learn more at https://surfinternet.com.
