~ Bloomington Mayor Addresses Issues with City's Fiber Project

In a statement released today, Mayor Kerry Thomson addressed the ongoing issues with the City of Bloomington's fiber project. The project, which aims to expand access to high-speed internet across the city, has faced numerous setbacks and delays since its launch in 2022.

According to Mayor Thomson, the project was initially a public-private partnership with Meridiam, with the City providing non-monetary support such as tax abatements and permitting coordination. Meridiam created Hoosier Fiber Networks (HFN) to manage the construction, and they hired Atlantic Engineering Group (AEG) for the actual building process.

However, over the course of three years, there were constant changes in leadership within AEG, causing delays and damage to public infrastructure. Despite efforts from the City to enforce compliance, AEG ultimately failed to meet expectations. Their bankruptcy in early 2025 only confirmed their inability to handle the project.

Mayor Thomson stated that AEG's sudden exit and collapse were not isolated incidents and that other communities across Indiana and the country have also experienced similar issues due to AEG's dissolution and the broader instability of the national subcontractor market for fiber deployment.

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As a result of these setbacks, only 50% of the network is currently complete, reaching over 4,000 homes. However, Mayor Thomson emphasized that this progress does not change the fact that much of the work must now be corrected to meet their standards.

To address these issues, Hoosier Fiber Network has brought in a short-term partner to assess and repair existing construction. This means that new installations will be paused for a couple of months while remediation work is underway. The City is also working on tapping into AEG's bond funds to help cover repair costs and keep the project moving forward.

Mayor Thomson made it clear that their expectations for this project are high and that it must be completed with care and quality. They expect Hoosier Fiber Networks to secure a reliable and accountable long-term construction partner.

The ultimate goal of this broadband initiative, according to Mayor Thomson, is to expand access, improve digital equity, and give every resident a chance to connect. The City is committed to getting it right and ensuring that this project truly benefits everyone.

For more information on the City's fiber project, residents can contact the Office of the Mayor at 812-349-3406 or mayor@bloomington.in.gov.

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