NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Fiber is coming to residents of the City of Harmony
Construction to begin this month
Harmony, Minn. (3 p.m. Aug. 15, 2022) —Residents of the City of Harmony have seen MiBroadband and Harmony Telephone Company receive grants and loans for rural fiber internet and wondered why not them. Their time has come. Harmony Telephone announced today (August 15), during a short ceremony at Selvig Park in Harmony, that it is investing $2.5 million to provide fiber to city residents.
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.
Harmony Telephone Company is a privately-held company in Harmony, Minn. It was purchased in 2006 by Mabel Cooperative Telephone Company and Spring Grove Communications. In 2018, MiEnergy Cooperative bought into the company to become an additional owner. It provides broadband and telephone service to Harmony and the surrounding rural area, as well as, cable TV service in Harmony. Ownership by cooperatives means providing quality service remains a top priority.
