Last month, we shared that construction was underway to bring fiber internet to over 2,200 homes in the Battle Ground area. Many residents in that area have expressed their elation for the service. It’s very rewarding to hear how enthusiastic they are for better internet service.

Our fiber internet service is now Wintek, powered by Tipmont.

When we announced our fiber service last year, our products included the “triple play” of internet, voice and video. The decision to offer all three was based on your feedback that you were interested in all three services from Tipmont. More recent feedback from you combined with nationwide trends have given us reason to switch our focus from traditional video to a variety of video options that can maximize your new high-speed internet connection.

On Wednesday, March 6, Tipmont's CEO, Ron Holcomb, spoke at a Capitol Hill briefing today on Tipmont’s efforts as part of the nationwide economic development impact of electric cooperatives. Following are the remarks he delivered.

As of January 1, 2019, Tipmont will acquire Wintek Corporation, this area’s premier technology and fiber solutions provider. Together, the two companies will deploy residential fiber internet access to Tipmont’s current 23,000 customers.

There’s never been a better time to get all of your television programming via the Internet. You could save hundreds of dollars a year by transitioning from traditional pay TV to online streaming video.

I’ve talked a lot about Tipmont’s mission of empowering the communities we serve. To empower is a recognition that you, our customers, are the engine of success. Our role is to simply provide the necessary raw materials like electric energy and very soon, broadband. When you have better tools at your disposal, more options with your local power supply, or integrated energy management systems in your home, you will have the capabilities to be more efficient and productive. We believe you shouldn’t be limited in how you utilize those tools.

After several months of planning to become an internet service provider, we’re finally ready to begin connecting our first members. In August, our engineering group selected Berry It as our fiber construction contractor. By the time you read this, the Kokomo-based contractor will be well underway building the first connections near our Linden office.

This is my first column opportunity since our July 28 Annual Meeting at McCutcheon High School. Officially, 899 memberships attended, an 18 percent increase from 2017. Thank you to all who took the time to visit with us. I want to also extend my congratulations to Jan Harlow on her re-election to Tipmont’s board of directors.

In last month’s article, I shared that Tipmont is bringing fiber broadband internet to our members. Feedback from our members has made it clear that their quality of life was threatened due to the lack of a high speed broadband internet service. As a member-owned and member-driven organization, Tipmont is uniquely positioned to meet these challenges.