Kosciusko

Connect installs fiber internet in 5,000 area homes

Kosciusko Connect connected its first customer to fiber-optic internet in December 2021. In January 2023, just over a year later, the team passed 5,000 homes connected to the internet network.

“It’s hard to imagine that in 13 months, we connected over 5,000 customers to our worldclass broadband services. We are excited to connect the next 5,000 connected customers,” said Curt Barkey, vice president of technology and broadband at Kosciusko Connect.

As a subsidiary of the electric cooperative, Kosciusko REMC, Kosciusko Connect seeks to embody the same communitycentered values as KREMC. Although KREMC’s service territory was the priority for fiber connections, the fiber installments may become available to members of the community who do not receive KREMC electric service.

“It’s rewarding to be a part of something that improves the quality of lives in our community. I can’t thank our employees enough for their efforts to make Kosciusko Connect a reality,” said Kurt Carver, president and CEO of Kosciusko REMC.

Kosciusko Connect recently introduced a streaming tool, MyBundle, to help customers determine a streaming package that fits their home’s needs for the least expense. MyBundle can be found at kosciuskoconnect.com/ streaming, where users can take a quiz, create an account and build personalized watch lists.

In addition to the streaming tool, Kosciusko Connect is also offering residential phone service, which uses Voice Over Internet Protocol technology. With VoIP, the customer’s phone connection is delivered through the fiber network, resulting in a clear connection.

For more information, visit kosciuskoconnect.com and follow its social media pages for further updates.

Kosciusko REMC is a Touchstone Energy electric cooperative serving over 18,000 accounts throughout Kosciusko County and into surrounding counties.

Forestry opportunity available to teachers

Indiana educators are encouraged to apply for the 2023 Natural Resources Teacher Institute, which will be held June 19-23 at the Forestry Training Center at Morgan-Monroe State Forest.

Hosted by the Indiana DNR Division of Forestry and Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources, this weeklong immersive professional de- velopment program will provide educators with the knowledge, skills and tools to effectively teach their students about forest ecology, research and management in Indiana. There is no cost to participants; meals and housing are provided.

Daily activities include visiting public and private forest sites, touring forest industry facilities and exploring forestry research through the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment.

Up to 18 educators will be accepted to participate. Participants must be available to attend all days of the program and fully participate in activities.

Participants will earn 30-plus Professional Growth Points and will receive Project Learning Tree and Leopold Education Project curriculum materials, a forestry tool kit, Indiana-specific field guides and a stipend for developing and implementing a lesson plan.

To apply or receive more information, contact Donna Rogler, NRTI coordinator, at treeladyin@gmail.com or (317) 402-2624.