The Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative (PPEC) says it has officially launched the construction of a major new residential fiber expansion project that should dramatically improve affordable fiber access across major swaths of Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana.
According to an announcement by the co-op, mainline construction of the extended network technically started last April in the Haviland and Latty substation area, and extended during the month of June to the Roselm substation area.
The first fiber customer is expected to be connected to the new residential fiber service starting this fall. The full project is expected to be completed by 2028, when the cooperative says it will determine whether it’s going to extend into non-member territories.
Founded in 1935, PPEC currently serves roughly 13,000 electrical customers across Ohio and Indiana. The cooperative says it’s partnering with counties and villages throughout Ohio and Indiana to identify areas of need and “ensure that expansion efforts align with local priorities.”
The cooperative Board of Trustees unanimously voted to provide fiber internet as a new service offered by the co-op in July of 2024. The co-op says it has budgeted around $4 million in 2025 for system reliability upgrades (including 20 miles of old copper line rebuilds) and fiber installation efforts.
Like hundreds of other U.S. cooperatives, PPEC is leveraging nearly-century old experience in rural electrification to bridge the digital divide and finally bring affordable access to communities long neglected by regional private telecom giants. The co-op did not respond to an inquiry asking for the full cost of and total locations passed by the finished project.
Just as with other co-ops, PPEC indicates the upgrades will benefit both local residences and business in terms of broadband access, as well as the co-op’s ability to monitor and manage its existing electrical grid.
“The electric side will benefit as well,” PPEC Chief Operating Officer Nick Eltzroth says of the upgrades. “All members will see the benefit of connecting our substations using fiber technology. It will allow PPEC to detect and restore power outages more quickly with improved communication between equipment.”
The cooperative has not yet set prices or speed tiers, but maintains a website to provide public updates on deployment. It’s asking locals to contact the cooperative at fiber@ppec.coop to express interest in receiving service and describe how upgrades could benefit them. These messages may be used in marketing for promotion of the upcoming network.
“We really do want to hear from you,” says PPEC CEO Randy Price. “The Paulding Putnam board and staff are driven to be member and community focused, using every experience to learn, improve what we do for you, and invest in your future.”
Inline image of Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative employee speaking with older couple courtesy of Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative website
