Looking for a more reliable internet connection at your rural mid-Michigan home or business? HomeWorks Connect is the solution you need!

HomeWorks Connect began building out a high-speed fiber internet network in 2018 specifically for the 26,000 homes and businesses served by HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative. As of spring of 2023, every one of those homes and businesses is able to be served by HomeWorks Connect's reliable internet network. We're slowly beginning to connect homes not served by HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative lines, beginning with connecting homes and businesses in the City of Portland and then expanding to other areas near our existing lines.

Interested in getting our service at your location? Read on to learn how the process works:

How does the process work?

Step 1: Input your address in the bar at the top of this page. This allows us to see if we may be able to serve your location!

Step 2: Continue through the questionnaire. Be sure to use a valid email address you regularly check as we will communicate with you via email first if you're able to be connected!

Step 3: Check your email inbox! We'll reach out within a few weeks if your location is able to be connected. You can also email us at internet@homeworks.org or give us a call at 800-668-8413 to check the status of your registration.

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

Mainline Construction - the first step in building HomeWorks Connect's service through an area. This step involves installing the fiber cables that carry internet service across our service territory. Once the fiber cables are hung on the lines or buried underground, many more steps must take place before homes can be installed so, although mainline construction being completed is exciting, it doesn't mean that your home will be installed within a few days. Your home installation may still be weeks or months out. For an update on your specific location, you are always able to call our office at 800-668-8413.

Splicing - this is the process that connects fiber cables together. Since fiber cables are made of glass, a splicer's job is to melt the glass strands together so that the light that carries your internet service can travel where they need to go. There are two main types of splicing that must be completed: mainline splicing and drop splicing. Mainline splicing takes place between large fiber cables on the mainline while drop splicing is the process that connects your home to the mainline. Once your drop is spliced, your home installation can be installed.

Drop - The drop is the piece of fiber cable that connects the mainline to your home. These typically follow the path that your electric service takes to get to your home and if an alternate route is needed, a site plan may be required before the drop to your home can be built. Once your drop is built, a second crew will come to splice the drop and finally, you will be called to have your home installation scheduled.