Surf Internet, the city of Knox and the Starke County Economic Development Foundation celebrated the start of a project that will lead to fiber-optic internet for the city's residents.
A ground breaking July 20 kicked off the construction of a $2 million investment by Surf Internet to bring high-speed internet to 1,200 addresses this year. The goal is 1,600 homes by 2024.
The Indiana Connectivity Program, an initiative of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, awarded Surf Internet a $79,500 grant. The program is in its sixth round of funding.
“For my entire career in telecommunications, Starke County has been a broadband desert,” said Surf CEO Gene Crusie in a press release. “With the visionary leadership of Mayor (Dennis) Estok and the City Council supporting our efforts, we’re changing that.”
Crusie said Elkhart-based Surf Internet is the first company to bring fiber-optic broadband to Knox.
“We are honored to bring cutting-edge technology to homes that were once thought unreachable, providing residents with an internet service that will change their lives, their businesses and their schools,” Crusie said.
Construction on all phases of the project are scheduled to be complete by summer 2024.
“On behalf of the city of Knox, we are looking forward to our residents having access to high-speed, affordable internet and feel that this will be a great benefit to our community,” Estok said. “We are excited to see this company become a vital part of our city, and we look forward to building a long-lasting community partnership with them.”
Updates on the construction will be on Surf Internet's website.
Surf Internet employs 170 people and has offices in Elkhart, La Porte, Michigan and Indiana. The city of Knox has a population of 3,585 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Caption: Surf Internet, the city of Knox, and the Starke County Economic Development Foundation held a groundbreaking ceremony July 20 to celebrate the start of a construction project that will deliver transformational fiber-optic internet to the city. (Provided by Surf Internet)
