Owensboro Municipal Utilities (OMU) has completed its years-long fiber optic project, providing high-speed internet access to all residential and commercial customers within its electric service area. OMU Director of Telecommunications Christopher Poynter said the milestone marks a significant step in the utility’s mission to support the community with reliable and affordable broadband services.
“This project has been several years in the making,” Poynter said. “We started with a pilot program to test feasibility, and the community’s support allowed us to methodically expand citywide. Affordability and reliability were top priorities throughout the process.”
OMU’s fiber internet is now available to all areas receiving OMU electric services, including a recently completed northern section of the service territory. However, the service is not available to OMU water and sewer customers outside the electric footprint.
Sonya Dixon, OMU’s public relations and communications manager, said the project was guided by careful planning to minimize costs for the utility and its customers.
“Our due diligence really paid off,” Dixon said. “People were clamoring for it, which kept us motivated. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored just how critical reliable, high-speed internet is for education, work, and everyday life.”
Poynter emphasized that OMU’s fiber network offers scalability for future technology needs, making it a lasting investment for Owensboro.
“Fiber optics are like constructing a highway,” Poynter said. “The technology is scalable, so it can support higher speeds and bandwidth as needs grow. It’s a future-proof investment that will benefit the community for years to come.”
In addition to cutting-edge technology, OMU offers local customer support, which Dixon said sets the utility apart from national providers.
“When you call for assistance, you’re speaking to someone right here in Owensboro, not waiting on a call center in another state or country,” Dixon said. “That local decision-making ensures the service fits our community’s unique needs.”
OMU has been in the fiber business since 1997, initially building infrastructure for internal use and large customers. Poynter said local leaders, such as the late J.R. Miller, played a key role in ensuring the fiber network was designed for future growth.
“J.R. Miller recommended installing additional fiber capacity during the initial build,” Poynter said. “His foresight allowed us to expand efficiently, and we’ve been building on that foundation ever since.”
The service is available to residential and commercial customers at various speed and price options, including gigabit speeds. In some areas, commercial services extend beyond OMU’s electric territory.
For more information about OMU’s fiber internet offerings, visit their website here.
“We’re proud to be the home team, investing in our community and offering world-class internet service,” Dixon said. “This project is about more than connectivity — it’s about economic development and supporting Owensboro’s future.”
