September 17, 2025
ELKHART, Ind., September 16, 2025 – Surf Internet® was the top-awarded internet provider in the Indiana Connectivity Program’s 14th round, announced earlier this summer. The company received $177,600 to extend high-speed fiber-optic internet to 37 addresses across the state.
The program, managed by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), helps connect homes and businesses in unserved and underserved areas by partnering with internet providers to cover construction costs. The announcement was made July 9 by the Office of Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith and OCRA, with a total of $628,906 in state funding.
“Reliable high-speed internet helps our kids do homework, allows families to see their doctors online, and gives small businesses the boost they need,” said Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith. “These state grants and matching funds from our providers allow us to give additional access to homes and businesses across 27 counties. This brings opportunity and growth right to every Hoosier’s doorstep.”
Surf’s matching investment will more than double the impact of the state grant, allowing the company to move forward with construction to connect locations that might otherwise remain out of reach. Surf has been a consistent leader in past ICP rounds and continues to prioritize reaching rural and hard-to-serve areas across the state. That momentum continues in Round 14, where approximately one-third of the awarded addresses have already been connected and are now receiving Surf’s fiber service—well ahead of the state’s nine-month construction timeline.
One of the 37 locations awarded in this round carries particular meaning for the Surf team. Earlier this year, 14-year-old Grayson Yerger from Goshen emailed Surf, asking the company to consider bringing fiber internet to his home so he could do homework and play video games without constant glitches. His message prompted a personal reply from Surf’s leadership—and a closer look at his neighborhood. While there was no guarantee his location would qualify, the team worked to include it, and Grayson’s home was ultimately part of Surf’s ICP Round 14 application and award.
“What started as one student’s plea became a project that will now benefit an entire area,” said Gene Crusie, CEO of Surf Internet. “These moments remind us that broadband expansion isn’t just about technology—it’s about people advocating for their future. When someone like Grayson speaks up, it gives us a chance to turn a single voice into lasting impact for a whole community. That’s the kind of change we want to keep showing up for.”
Surf continues to encourage Indiana residents without access to high-speed internet to submit their addresses for consideration through the Indiana Connectivity Program. The state accepts submissions on a rolling basis, helping identify homes and businesses that still lack service. More information is available at https://surfinternet.com/icp/.
“As long as there are homes still waiting for service, we’ll keep showing up,” Crusie added. “This round may have been small in dollars, but it was big in impact—for over 100 households, and for one teenager in Goshen who decided to speak up.”
About Surf Internet
Surf Internet is an innovative fiber-optic internet company that serves as the essential gateway to connectivity across the Great Lakes region of Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. The company is building a bridge to the wide-open future by delivering high-speed, reliable internet to homes and businesses in underserved, rural communities. Surf’s 300-plus-person team is local, giving them an edge when it comes to customer care and advocacy for the region. Headquartered in Elkhart, Ind., Surf also has offices in La Porte, Ind., Byron Center and Fowlerville, Mich., and Coal City, Naperville, and Rock Falls, Ill. Learn more at https://surfinternet.com.