Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC; Cassopolis, Mich.) recently celebrated a major milestone—connecting its 30,000th fiber internet customer. The achievement marked significant progress in MEC’s mission to close the digital divide in rural areas of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.
After completing a successful pilot project, MEC launched a fiber project in 2015 to modernize its electric grid and deliver high-speed internet to its electric customers. “Becoming an internet service provider started because our customers turned to us for help,” said MEC President and CEO Terry Rubenthaler. He emphasized how customers had been stuck with unreliable internet for many years, and something had to be done about it.
As MEC built fiber across its electric grid, the company recognized the need to extend fiber beyond its electric service area. Since then, it has expanded its reach through grants, partnerships and advocacy—most recently with support from the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund and Michigan’s Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks grant. MEC fiber is currently available at over 76,000 addresses, and the company plans to add over 22,000 more by the end of 2026.
To mark the 30,000-customer milestone, MEC hosted a story contest featuring real customer experiences. First-place winner Ryan from Edwardsburg, Mich., wrote, “This is more than just internet. It’s the thread that weaves our daily joys, learning and security together. MEC fiber isn’t just a service; it’s a member of our family.”
To learn more, visit the MEC website.