CORRECTION ISSUED 7.27.26: Paulding Putnam has a total of 8,900+ Indiana passings, with more than 18,600+ passings in both Ohio and Indiana combined. The original story said 8,900 passing for only Indiana. The updated numbers are higher
Paulding Putnam is among the first organizations in Indiana to receive its federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program contract, marking a landmark moment in the effort to close the rural digital divide across the state.
Paulding Putnam will receive $13,174,476 in BEAD funding, matched by $10,350,060 in cooperative investment, to deploy fiber-to-the-home broadband service to unserved communities and businesses in Allen, Adams, DeKalb, and Noble counties. The co-op is the second-highest recipient of grant funds among non-national companies. The total Paulding Putnam project investment is roughly $23.5 million.
The BEAD Program, administered through the Indiana Broadband Office, is a federal initiative designed to close the rural digital divide by expanding access to high-speed internet for unserved and underserved communities across Indiana.
"When reliable broadband was out of reach for many rural Hoosiers, Indiana's electric cooperatives took action," said John Cassady, CEO of Indiana Electric Cooperatives. "Our cooperatives have invested in expanding high-speed internet service to rural homes, farms, schools, and businesses because these communities deserve the same opportunities as everyone else. The BEAD program strengthens those ongoing efforts, and we appreciate the Indiana Broadband Office's commitment to helping connect more Hoosiers through this important investment."
"This milestone marks meaningful progress in bringing BEAD investments to communities across Indiana," said Megan Minor, chief broadband officer for the Indiana Broadband Office. "Paulding Putnam has shown it is prepared to deliver reliable broadband while maintaining a strong commitment to the communities they serve. Their work reflects the goals of the BEAD program and helps move Indiana closer to universal connectivity."
Paulding Putnam has already begun deploying a fiber-to-the-home network in rural northwest Ohio, delivering internet speeds of up to 1 gig to member-consumers. In total, between Ohio and Indiana, the cooperative currently has 18,600+ network passings.
Construction in Indiana is anticipated to begin in spring 2027, with 1,464 eligible Indiana service locations. The not-for-profit cooperative will offer service for both residential and business locations as construction progresses and is completed in an area. Eligible locations include non-electric member areas. All Indiana locations included in the project are anticipated to have service available by spring 2029.
"This investment will make a lasting difference for the communities we serve," said Randy Price, CEO of Paulding Putnam. "Reliable, high-speed internet has become a necessity for education, healthcare, agriculture, business, and everyday life. Many of our members have waited far too long for access to dependable broadband. With support from the BEAD program, we're able to accelerate fiber deployment and deliver a long-term solution that will benefit our members and strengthen our communities well into the future