The Elkhart-based telecommunications provider received the largest award in the history of the Indiana Connectivity Program. It will use the state funding to expand high-speed internet to 548 underserved homes in 13 counties in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newtown, Starke, St. Joseph, Allen, DeKalb, Elkhart, Grant, Marshall and Noble counties.
“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. “I’m incredibly proud of our dedicated team and the strong partnerships they have formed at a local level. 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.”
Surf Internet is investing $12.9 million in matching funds in expanding broadband in Indiana, where Internet service providers have invested $17 million in broadband infrastructure through the program so far.
“Beyond the 548 grant-funded addresses, our initiative includes plans to connect over 7,500 adjacent homes and agribusinesses,” Director of Special Funding Steve Carender said. “This comprehensive approach not only maximizes the impact of the grant but also strengthens the digital infrastructure of entire communities.”
The Indiana Connectivity Program is administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. It has awarded $9.5 million since 2022 to connect 2,369 remote and rural addresses across Indiana. Surf Internet was able to score some funding through public outreach, including events in LaPorte and Starke counties that drew hundreds of participants.
“We recognized early on that community engagement and education were crucial to the success of the ICP,” said Amber Rodriguez, senior director of growth marketing at Surf Internet. “By collaborating with local partners and organizing informative events, we were able to ensure that residents knew the importance of participating and how to apply. Our team’s dedication to this cause has paid off, and we are thrilled to bring Surf’s high-speed fiber-optic internet to more communities.”
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