Lynxx Networks was one of eight companies recognized by the NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association as a 2025 Smart Rural Community Showcase Award winner. The company received the award for its work in connecting the Tomah Area School District with fiber optic internet.
Lynxx Networks CEO Scott Perry accepted the award on September 16 at the NTCA 2025 Fall Conference in La Vegas. The Showcase Awards are presented annually to rural broadband providers who not only provide high-quality, reliable connectivity, but also lead the way in collaborative and innovative projects that advance the communities they serve.
Lynxx Networks applied for one of the 2025 awards for its work in connecting the Tomah Area School District (TASD) to its 100% fiber optic network. The TASD has thirteen different facilities, including eight elementary schools, a middle and high school, an alternative school, public charter Montessori school, and a district office, which, today, are all connected to Lynxx Network's fiber internet. The district's partnership with Lynxx Networks started with fiber construction to eleven school locations, billed at an average cost that was significantly lower than the district's previous provider.
"The need for additional bandwidth prompted a renegotiation of contracts which, if signed, would have resulted in a substantial increase in our connectivity costs," said TASD Director of Technological Infrastructure Paul Potter of the initial change to Lynxx Networks as the district’s broadband service provider.
"Lynxx Networks gave us greater bandwidth over a higher-quality network, all at a substantial cost savings," Potter added.
Lynxx Networks constructed fiber network to Camp Douglas Elementary in 2008; the Montessori school and the district office in 2015; Oakdale and Wyeville Elementary schools in 2016; and the High School, Middle School, Miller Elementary, Lagrange Elementary, Lemonweir Elementary, and the bus garage in 2021.
Warrens Elementary – the school that had been located the furthest from the company’s existing fiber network – was added in 2024. Lynxx Networks worked with the TASD to construct fiber network to Warrens Elementary with Elementary School and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds covering a portion of the build, and Lynxx Networks funding the remainder. Today, all buildings in the Tomah Area School District are connected to Lynxx Networks' fiber network.
Lynxx Networks is "unmatched in reliability, service, and support" and "part of the reason why (the district) maintains 99.999% uptime on our network year after year," said Tomah School Board President Mike Gnewikow.
The school district must have the connectivity that students and staff need to not only function, but thrive during the school day, because at home, the connectivity isn't always the same.
"Many of our students are at a disadvantage when they go home, finding poor quality internet access - a situation that is all too common in rural Wisconsin," Gnewikow said.
Potter echoed his sentiments.
"Our rural areas continue to suffer due to the lack of quality, high-speed internet options. With the costs involved in burying fiber, sound business practices make providing direct fiber to sparsely populated areas difficult, if not impossible, without assistance,” Potter said.
The TASD covers a total of 456 square miles and spans three different counties, making it one of the largest school districts in the state of Wisconsin. Over the years Lynxx Networks has continued to apply for grant opportunities that would allow the company to expand and serve the surrounding rural area. The company has also continued to build network, little by little, expanding fiber services to the Tomah Area School District serving area with its own in-house staff, committed to the mission of bringing fast, reliable, secure, and affordable internet to those who need modern connectivity for everyday life.
In addition to providing the district with reliable connectivity, Lynxx Networks has prioritized investing in the local community through donations and sponsorships, many of which benefit the TASD.
“Lynxx continually invests in the well-being of our children and families. Their partnership goes beyond connectivity—they’re truly a part of the community, working alongside us to ensure our students have the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed both in and out of school,” said Lisa Culpitt, Principal at Camp Douglas Elementary School.
Lynxx Networks is a member of NTCA and its Smart Rural Community program. Smart Rural Community is a network of more than 290 communities across a wide swath of rural America, supported by member providers who are committed to driving growth through robust broadband service.
Together with its subsidiaries, 3RT Networks and Bahr Electric, Lynxx Networks is the area’s premier fiber-optic internet service provider, delivering unparalleled internet, voice, IT, and electrical service to the region. Learn more by visiting www.getlynxx.com