Nearly every home, business in Tippecanoe County will have broadband access

News Reports
·2 min read

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Nearly all homes and businesses in Tippecanoe County will have access to broadband by the end of 2024, Tipmont Wintek announced this week, due to a partnership between the Tippecanoe County Commissioners and the internet company.

Around $14.8 million in county funds are to be used to provide broadband to nearly all of Tippecanoe County. This project was approved Tuesday as part of nearly $38 million designated to fund 12 county initiatives now until the end of 2024, the release stated.

Through this partnership, Wintek will make "high-speed fiber broadband," in accordance with the 2024-timline, available in the following Tippecanoe areas:

  • North River Road

  • State Road 26 W.

  • Buck Creek and surrounding area

  • State Road 26 E.

  • East Otterbein

  • Montmorenci and surrounding area

  • Shadeland and surrounding area

  • White/Tippecanoe county border

  • E. County Road 1200 S.

  • Surrounding area of Stockwell

  • Clarks Hill and surrounding area

  • Purdue University Airport West

Tipmont Telecom Maintenance Technician and Installer Troy Little connected the first Tipmont REMC fiber customer, Don Braun, on Wednesday, November 28, 2018.
Tipmont Telecom Maintenance Technician and Installer Troy Little connected the first Tipmont REMC fiber customer, Don Braun, on Wednesday, November 28, 2018.

"We are thrilled to announce this transformative project for people in these areas,” said Tippecanoe county commissioner Tom Murtaugh in the release. “Tippecanoe County will be among the very few in Indiana to claim this kind of access, which is essential for strategic economic development, remote learning and working, and quality of life.”

Ron Holcomb, CEO of Tipmont Wintek, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to further provide broadband to Tippecanoe County.

"We applaud the ambition and vision of the Commissioners and Council to bring vital services to these areas of Tippecanoe County and are honored to play a pivotal role in realizing it." Holcomb said in the release. “We look forward to providing these homes and businesses with the high-quality service and local support that has been our legacy for over 80 years.”

One Tippecanoe County citizen, Candiss Vibbert, is excited to experience all the opportunities that broadband will bring to the area, including further access for work, entertainment and more.

"This is a forward-looking initiative that reflects Tippecanoe County and Tipmont Wintek’s commitment to making these areas a better place to live, work and play,” Vibbert said in the release. “In the end, technology is about communication, and communication is about connecting us to each other. We’re grateful for the commitment of these partners. It is really wonderful to watch people work together and get things done.”

A map of the "build-up areas" in Tippecanoe County is available at wintek.com/tippcouncil.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Nearly every home, business in Tippecanoe County to have internet access