Co-Mo Electric Selects KIOWA to Prepare for Fiber Build

TIPTON, MO — The Co-Mo Electric Cooperative, one of a number of Missouri electric co-ops that have embarked on fiber-to-the-home projects, selected Tipton-based KIOWA Line Builders to prepare its lines and poles for stringing fiber. The company says this contract will provide local residents with work through the end of the year.

Co-Mo's FTTH project, Co-Mo Connect, will bring fast Internet speeds and telephone service to two pilot project areas, one south of Syracuse and the other around the Laurie/Sunrise Beach area. The network is expected to be operational by the end of the year and, if costs are in line with expectations, Co-Mo Electric officials would consider expanding the service to the entire service territory in the next four or five years.

Two pilot project areas were chosen because they represented average density for the entire service territory and because of their proximity to the cooperative’s two offices, a factor that kept costs down. To further reduce risk to the cooperative’s membership, the pilot project used a presale model; the board made the decision to go forward only after a sufficient number of subscribers had preregistered.

“We said when we started pursuing this broadband project that it would create local jobs and have a positive impact on the local economy. It’s great to see that’s already happening,” says Randy Klindt, Co-Mo Connect project manager and Co-Mo Electric Cooperative information technology manager.

The work KIOWA will be doing for Co-Mo includes replacing aged poles and addressing clearance issues that would be created with the addition of the fiber below the electricity lines.