Surf Internet, in collaboration with the Newton County Public Library and the Newton County Economic Development Commission, hosted a high-speed internet community outreach event at the Lake Village Public Library. This event aimed to help residents apply for the Indiana Connectivity Program (ICP), a state initiative designed to identify areas lacking reliable internet service.
Representatives from Surf Internet engaged one-on-one with local residents, creating genuine connections as they walked them through the process of applying for the ICP. They addressed residents’ questions and concerns, ensuring that each attendee understood the importance of the program in bringing high-speed internet to underserved areas in Newton County.
Surf Internet CEO Gene Crusie views broadband as a vital resource for bridging the gap between rural and urban communities. He highlighted the transformative impact of high-speed internet for rural residents, such as farmers in Newton County, enabling them to access education, shop, support their families, and engage in community activities.
“One of the things we pride ourselves on is rolling up our sleeves, coming to events like this, and sitting down with residents to figure things out,” Crusie said. “For this particular initiative, we’re leveraging the Indiana Connectivity Program, which provides a $4,800 subsidy to residents who sign up. With that support from the state, Surf Internet can balance the remaining costs and find ways to get people connected, making broadband more accessible and affordable in underserved areas.”
High-speed internet is seen as a key driver of quality of life and economic development in Newton County, according to Economic Development Director Tim Myers. Reliable broadband not only helps attract and retain businesses but also plays a vital role in education through e-learning, especially for students in rural areas. In healthcare, telemedicine is becoming increasingly important, given the limited number of clinics and doctors available locally.
“High-speed internet is critical to our quality of life and economic development in Newton County,” said Myers. “It not only supports business attraction and retention but also enhances education through e-learning for our students. It’s essential for telemedicine, especially in rural areas like ours where clinics and doctors are limited.”
As Newton County seeks to promote tourism, enhanced internet access can support efforts like connecting visitors to outdoor attractions, such as the Nature Conservancy at Kankakee Sands using digital tools like QR codes and interactive displays.
Surf Internet’s approach to identifying and targeting communities for broadband expansion has evolved, particularly in response to the challenges highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic revealed significant gaps in internet access, especially for educational needs.
“Together, we realized that by pooling our efforts, we could achieve more than working as a company alone,” said Scott Franko, Surf Internet's director of business development and community relations. “That’s been our approach in Newton County, but in other communities, we look for areas that are underserved or unserved, particularly where there’s no existing fiber provider. That opens the door for us to step in and be that provider."
The ICP allows residents to submit applications that assess local demand, helping the state allocate funds to internet service providers like Surf Internet to expand broadband infrastructure. Attendees received guidance on submitting applications, a crucial first step in securing reliable internet for their communities.
Residents were encouraged to bring details about their current internet service, including speed test results, provider information, and monthly costs. This event represented a vital opportunity for rural communities to improve internet access, essential for education, business growth, and healthcare.
Looking beyond Newton County, Surf Internet is working with numerous municipalities, cities, towns, and villages to expand broadband access across a wider region. A significant part of this effort involves leveraging state and federal grants, including those from the Indiana Connectivity Program. By establishing networks in areas with enough density, the company can position itself to secure funding and fill in gaps between connected communities.
Enrollment for the ICP is ongoing. Visit Surf Internet’s website for an easy-to-follow guide on how to apply: https://surfinternet.com/icp.