TDS celebrates start of fiber internet construction in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin with fundraising event
More than $5K raised for the Family Support Center
TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS®) hosted a fundraising event Wednesday, July 20 to celebrate the recent start of construction on its all-fiber internet network in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Community members were invited to come to Leinenkugel’s Leinie Lodge to raise a glass to the massive infrastructure project and help raise funds to benefit the Family Support Center. One dollar from the sale of each beer sold was donated by Leinenkugel’s plus TDS contributed an additional $5,000 to the area non-profit that assists survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and human trafficking as well as provides violence prevention education.
TDS Telecom Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs Andrew Petersen was joined by Chippewa Falls Mayor Greg Hoffman; Chase Lapcinski, president of PUSH, TDS’ construction partner on the build; as well as Lori Berg from Family Support Center, local chamber members, Senator Kathy Bernier, and Representatives Jesse James, Warren Petryk, and Rob Summerfield.
“TDS is investing a half billion of its own dollars to build state-of-the art fiber networks in the state and $55 million will be in the Chippewa Valley,” said TDS Telecom Senior President of Corporate Affairs Andrew Petersen. “As you get to know TDS, we hope you come to appreciate that our company becomes part of each community it serves.”
In April, TDS announced its fiber network expansion included both Chippewa Falls and Altoona. The build is expected to connect more than 10,000 total addresses to super-fast internet speeds, along with TV and phone service. TDS is also building a fiber network in Eau Claire, which will reach more than 30,000 locations.
The technology infrastructure, which relies on light to transmit data rather than electricity, will deliver up to 2Gig download and upload speeds for residents, and up to 10G dedicated connections for business. TDS also recently broke ground on fiber networks in Eau Claire and Onalaska and completed builds in both Wausau and Stevens Point.
“Customer choice is a powerful thing and that is what we will bring to Chippewa Falls, Altoona, and Eau Claire over the course of the next several years,” said Petersen.
PUSH, TDS’ construction partner in Chippewa Falls, broke ground on the project a few weeks ago. Construction and network access will happen in phases, as conduit, cable, and equipment hubs are placed in public utility easement areas. Residents can look for signs in their neighborhoods before construction begins, and they’ll also receive a postcard, letter, and door hanger notifying them of the upcoming work. Contractors will work to minimize disruptions to neighborhoods and restore any areas impacted by the burying of fiber-optic cable.
TDS has become a national leader in fiber-optic construction and is rapidly growing its fiber footprint in Wisconsin. The company is actively building networks in the Fox Cities of Appleton, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, Menasha, and Neenah, as well as Green Bay and surrounding communities. The 53-year-old company operates in 32 states.
TDS will be hiring many positions in the area to support its growth into Chippewa Falls, Altoona, and Eau Claire. The company also has a long history of philanthropy in the communities it serves, sponsoring local events, making donations, and giving its employees paid time off to volunteer.
Residents and businesses interested in learning more about TDS products can visit TDSFiber.com.
