Council Approves Partnership to Bring Broadband Nearly County-wide by 2024

Nearly all Tippecanoe County homes and businesses will have access to broadband internet by the end of 2024 — thanks to a partnership between the Tippecanoe County Commissioners and Tipmont Wintek approved by the Tippecanoe County Council.

Supported by $14.8 million in county funds, the project was approved by the council Tuesday, March 8, as part of nearly $38 million designated to fund 12 county initiatives over the next several years.

Wintek is the fiber-optic broadband arm of Tipmont, a rural electric membership corporation whose service area includes parts of Tippecanoe County. Through this partnership, Wintek will make high-speed fiber broadband available by the end of 2024 in the following Tippecanoe County areas without current or pending broadband solutions:

• North River Road
• State Road 26 W.
• Buck Creek & Surrounding Area
• State Road 26 E.
• East Otterbein
• Montmorenci & Surrounding Area
• Shadeland & Surrounding Area
• White / Tippecanoe Border
• E. County Road 1200 S.
• Surrounding Area of Stockwell
• Clarks Hill & Surrounding Area
• Purdue University Airport West

“We are thrilled to announce this transformative project for people in these areas,” said Tippecanoe County Commissioner Tom Murtaugh. “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.”

Wintek will add these areas to its existing broadband construction schedule — through which every Tipmont electric-service member will have broadband access by the end of 2024.

“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,” said Ron Holcomb, president and CEO of Tipmont Wintek. “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.”

Wintek fiber internet packages offer speeds from 250 Mbps to 1 Gbps, or 1,000 Mbps. All speeds are symmetrical for upload and download, creating seamless interaction for video conferencing, online learning and more. In addition to being the fastest broadband solution, fiber-optic technology is also future-proof — meaning regular system upgrades will not require the replacement of fiber-line infrastructure. Wintek also offers local customer service seven days a week.

“It’s exciting that we can address this access gap and create new opportunities for people who call these parts of Tippecanoe County home,” says Kevin Underwood, president of the Tippecanoe County Council.

Candiss Vibbert, who lives off State Road 26 near its intersection with U.S. 231, is eager to enjoy improved broadband access for work, community meetings, family connections, and entertainment.

“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 says. “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.”

To view a map of the build areas in rural Tippecanoe County, please visit wintek.com/tippcouncil.

About Tipmont Wintek

A premier regional provider of energy and communication services, Tipmont Wintek empowers people and communities with state-of-the-art essential services. Founded in 1939, our rural electric membership corporation now provides electric service to over 28,000 meters in eight Indiana counties (Tippecanoe, Montgomery, Fountain, Clinton, Carroll, White, Benton, Boone). In January 2019, Tipmont acquired Wintek Corporation, a Lafayette technology company. Together, Tipmont Wintek is building state-of-the-art in-home fiber internet service in Tipmont’s electric-service area and additional areas of Tippecanoe County, as well as delivering customized business technology solutions.