Harmony is investing $2.5M to provide fiber internet to residents

(ABC 6 News) – Harmony Telephone Company announced on Monday, during a short ceremony at Selvig Park in Harmony, that it is investing $2.5 million to provide fiber internet to city residents.

The time has come for residents of the City of Harmony, after seeing MiBroadband and Harmony Telephone Company receive grants and loans for rural fiber internet.

According to Harmony Telephone CEO Jill Huffman, the company looked into grant opportunities and the board weighed the benefits and costs associated with making the investment themselves versus applying for funds.

“We are actively involved in the community. The city is more densely populated than the areas where we’ve secured federal and state grant dollars. In the end, Harmony is the homebase for our business and the board took action to move forward to invest in our community,” Huffman explained.

Moving forward with a self-funded project, also means it can move forward with construction now. Residents will see signs of fiber going into the ground yet this month.

When completed, the project will provide service for just over 500 locations within the city limits of Harmony.

“Fiber is a gamechanger. It provides opportunities. Employees can work from home, it enhances learning for students, and it allows local rural businesses to thrive,” Huffman said.

Huffman said providing fiber is just the first step.

“My team is extremely excited to provide this reliable internet service and help subscribers set up wireless networks to allow for things such as telecommuting, real-time video monitoring of property and equipment, and viewing of streaming services. We don’t just put the fiber in the ground and leave, we have a robust customer service team right here,” Huffman stated. “As a company owned by three cooperatives, we know customer service is our top priority.”

Residents with questions about the Harmony fiber project can contact Harmony Telephone at 507-886-2525.