Last month, we shared that the fiber video and voice service will be available through Mulberry, rather than directly from Tipmont. Our goal is to ensure you have access to video and voice services the way you want it. This change helps streamline voice and video service delivery by aligning your customer experience with who is actually delivering the service. I also mentioned streaming video as a new model that is rapidly gaining popularity with consumers.

When we announced our fiber service last year, our products included the “triple play” of internet, voice and video. The decision to offer all three was based on your feedback that you were interested in all three services from Tipmont. More recent feedback from you combined with nationwide trends have given us reason to switch our focus from traditional video to a variety of video options that can maximize your new high-speed internet connection.

On Wednesday, March 6, Tipmont's CEO, Ron Holcomb, spoke at a Capitol Hill briefing today on Tipmont’s efforts as part of the nationwide economic development impact of electric cooperatives. Following are the remarks he delivered.

Last month, we shared the exciting news of Tipmont’s acquisition of Wintek Corporation, Lafayette’s premier technology and fiber solutions provider.

It’s been nearly a year since Tipmont’s board unanimously voted to authorize the construction and delivery of fiber internet, video and voice services. In that time, we’ve completed a tremendous amount of work toward realizing the vision that you created for us. Your feedback through surveys, letters, phone calls, and in person was key to the board’s decision. Affordable high-speed broadband, in particular, is an essential service that so many of you need.

I’ve talked a lot about Tipmont’s mission of empowering the communities we serve. To empower is a recognition that you, our customers, are the engine of success. Our role is to simply provide the necessary raw materials like electric energy and very soon, broadband. When you have better tools at your disposal, more options with your local power supply, or integrated energy management systems in your home, you will have the capabilities to be more efficient and productive. We believe you shouldn’t be limited in how you utilize those tools.

After several months of planning to become an internet service provider, we’re finally ready to begin connecting our first members. In August, our engineering group selected Berry It as our fiber construction contractor. By the time you read this, the Kokomo-based contractor will be well underway building the first connections near our Linden office.

This is my first column opportunity since our July 28 Annual Meeting at McCutcheon High School. Officially, 899 memberships attended, an 18 percent increase from 2017. Thank you to all who took the time to visit with us. I want to also extend my congratulations to Jan Harlow on her re-election to Tipmont’s board of directors.

Although the deadline for this article was before our 2018 Annual Meeting, by the time it lands in your mailbox, we'll have another meeting in the books. As I write this, Tipmont’s staff is putting the finishing touches on what we hope will be an informative and engaging experience for all in attendance.

2018 marks the 79th year that Tipmont’s membership will gather for our Annual Meeting. When Tipmont’s first Annual Meeting was held on August 26, 1938, it consisted of about 1,000 members looking to bring electricity to their rural homes and farms. Nearly eight decades later, we’re facing similar transformative circumstances today that will fundamentally redefine how Tipmont serves you tomorrow.