Surf Internet Begins 1.2m Fiber Build

 

Surf Internet Begins $1.2M Fiber Build in Fowlerville as Part of Ongoing Livingston County Efforts
Privately funded build complements $26M ROBIN Grant project bringing high-speed internet to 4,500 rural homes across northwest Livingston County

FOWLERVILLE, Mich., August 5, 2025 – Surf Internet® announced today that construction will soon begin on a new fiber-optic internet project in the Village of Fowlerville. Fully funded by Surf, the $1.2 million investment will bring high-speed fiber service to approximately 960 locations throughout the village.

The Fowlerville project is Surf’s latest step in expanding internet access across Livingston County and complements a broader $26 million infrastructure effort funded in part by Michigan’s Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) Grant. Focused primarily on rural areas in the northwest portion of the county, the ROBIN project will deliver high-speed internet to approximately 4,500 unserved homes. It includes $17 million in grant funding from the State of Michigan and a $9 million private investment from Surf. Construction on the ROBIN project is currently 50 percent complete, with full buildout expected by mid-2026.

Surf Internet, which operates a local office in Fowlerville, has been steadily growing its footprint throughout the county. Through a combination of public funding partnerships and private capital, Surf has extended fiber to underserved communities including Iosco, Handy, Cohoctah, Unadilla, and Conway townships.

"This new investment in Fowlerville reflects the dual approach we’re taking across Michigan—using public-private partnerships where available, while also stepping up with our own capital when needed,” said Gene Crusie, CEO of Surf Internet. “Our commitment to Livingston County is strong and long term, and we’re proud to be helping close the broadband gap one community at a time.”

Surf celebrated the Fowlerville project at the 2025 Fowlerville Family Fair on Wednesday, July 23, where its booth served as a central meeting point for community members and regional leaders. Representatives from the State of Michigan and local government joined Surf team members for conversation and photos to mark the momentum of broadband expansion in the region.

“Connectivity drives opportunity, and I commend Surf Internet for expanding dependable high-speed internet to areas like Fowlerville, where staying connected empowers students, entrepreneurs, and families alike,” said State Representative Jason Woolford. “These kinds of efforts pave the way for technological innovation and progress in every corner of Michigan.”

Most areas within the ROBIN project footprint will receive maximum service speeds of up to 1 Gbps, while select areas—including the Village of Fowlerville—will be able to access up to 2 Gbps.

To learn more about Surf Internet and its fiber network expansion in Livingston County, visit surfinternet.com.

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.
 

PHOTO CAPTION: Community leaders joined Surf Internet at its booth during the 2025 Fowlerville Family Fair to celebrate progress on local fiber projects, including a new $1.2 million build in the Village of Fowlerville