At Mainstream Fiber Networks, our work often starts with fiber in the ground, but it does not end there. The moments that matter most happen far beyond construction sites. They happen in libraries and schools, at coffee shops, job fairs, and community events throughout the 10 counties we serve in Southern Indiana.
Throughout 2025, we had the opportunity to work alongside incredible local partners and community leaders. Together, we focused on something bigger than connectivity alone: we helped people access opportunities, build confidence with technology, and stay connected to the places they call home.
A Snapshot of Our Work this Year
Over the course of the year, those partnerships turned into real, tangible progress:
Each number represents people, places, and moments where access to technology has made daily life a little easier.
Working Alongside Local Leaders
Strong communities are built through collaboration, and we are proud to stay closely connected with organizations that help guide growth and opportunity across the region. By working alongside economic development groups, local governments, and regional partners, we were able to align our network expansion with what communities actually need.
Whether that meant supporting workforce development, helping attract new businesses, or ensuring residents could reliably access online services, these partnerships helped keep our work grounded in local priorities.
Making Internet Access Easier to Find
In 2025, we installed nine public Wi-Fi access points across Crawford County in locations where people already gather. These spaces now offer free, reliable internet access for students working on homework, residents searching for jobs, families managing healthcare appointments, and anyone who simply needs to get online.
We also secured more than $80,000 through the Indiana Connectivity Program to help extend fiber to homes that have historically been hard to reach. These last-mile connections may seem small on a map, but for the families they serve, the impact can be life-changing.
Helping People Build Real Digital Skills
Access is only part of the equation. People also need the tools and confidence to use technology in ways that support their goals.
Through our Click Start Program, we donated 10 laptops to the Brown County Career Resource Center, helping residents apply for jobs, take classes, and build new skills. We also hosted four digital literacy events in Brown and Crawford counties, partnering with local libraries and community organizations to offer practical, approachable guidance on topics like online safety, email, job applications, and everyday technology basics.
These sessions were designed to meet people where they are and make high-speed connectivity feel less intimidating and more useful.
Being Present in the Places that Matter
Throughout the year, you could find Mainstream Fiber Networks out in the community, not just sponsoring events, but as a neighbor. We supported and attended events like back-to-school celebrations, Touch-A-Truck, holiday markets, job fairs, and programs for schools and youth organizations.
These moments are about showing up in the same spaces where families, kids, and neighbors come together.
Supporting Local Small Businesses
One of our favorite moments this year was partnering with Positive Energy Café in Montpelier to provide over 100 cups of coffee for the community. It was a simple gesture, but it created space for people to gather, catch up, and support a local business that plays an important role in the community.
These small moments of connection are often what makes rural communities feel strong and welcoming.
Why this Work Matters
Behind every Wi-Fi hotspot, laptop, or workshop is a story. A student finishing homework at home. A parent applying for a new job. A family able to use telehealth instead of driving miles for care.
That is what community-focused internet means to us, not just faster speeds, but real access to opportunity.
Looking Ahead
We are proud of what we were able to accomplish in 2025, and we are already planning for what comes next. In 2026, we aim to expand public Wi-Fi into more communities, host additional digital literacy events, and continue reaching homes that still lack reliable internet access.
At the end of the day, Mainstream Fiber Networks is not just here to provide service. We are here because this is our home, too.