Elkhart-based Surf Internet secured $2.6 million in funding from the Indiana Connectivity Program.
The award is the largest in the program's history. It will help Surf bring high-speed broad to 548 addresses in 13 counties in Indiana, including Allen, DeKalb, Elkhart, Grant, Lake, La Porte, Marshall, Newton, Noble, Porter, St. Joseph, Starke and Whitley.
“This funding is a testament to our commitment to communities and our mission to deliver transformational internet services to rural areas,” said Gene Crusie, CEO of Surf Internet in a press release. “I’m incredibly proud of our dedicated team and the strong partnerships they have formed at a local level.
Crusie said this latest grant is only a drop in the bucket.
“We aren't done yet – with over $55 million in grant awards to date, we remain focused on combining our private investments with additional state and federal grants to bring even more opportunities and high-speed connectivity to the Great Lakes region,” he said.
The Connectivity Program requires matching funds of $13.7 million collectively from awardees. Surf has contributed $12.9 million to that effort.
“Beyond the 548 grant-funded addresses, our initiative includes plans to connect over 7,500 adjacent homes and agribusinesses,” said Steve Carender, director of special funding for Surf. “This comprehensive approach not only maximizes the impact of the grant but also strengthens the digital infrastructure of entire communities.”
The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs administers the program, which supports internet access for people who live in rural areas. The program has allocated more than $9.5 million since its inception to 2,369 addresses in remote areas of the state.
Surf Internet also was awarded grants totaling $10.5 million from the Connect Illinois program.
