Northwestern Indiana Telephone Co. will start work in July on a high-speed fiber broadband network in the town of Mount Ayr.

The project is NITCO's second in Newton County. The town of Morocco ‘s fiber project was completed in 2022.

“This opportunity truly changes the quality of life for many of our residents; particularly those who work at home,” said Mount Ayr Town Board President Jerry Durflinger in a press release. “In addition to attracting new residents, it also offers our students improved e-learning capabilities and opens the possibility of residents accessing telemedicine options.”

Town officials were immediately on board when NITCO Vice President Tom Carroll and Project Manager Don Schoenbeck presented the plan earlier in July.

“Building fiber broadband networks for small rural communities like Mount Ayr is critical for their survival,” NITCO President Tom Long said. “We are very pleased that the town of Mount Ayr supports and encourages the creation of Newton County’s second and smallest gigabit community!”

The Mount Ayr project is scheduled for completion later this year. It will replace NITCO's copper DSL wiring throughout the town and provides gigabit speed to customers.