TL;DR

  • Major expansion completed: Empire Fiber Internet finished its latest fiber build in Steuben County, bringing service to Avoca, Birdseye Hollow, Caton, Hornby, Howard, and Savona.
  • Nearly 2,000 homes connected: The project expands access to reliable high-speed internet for more local residents and businesses.
  • Bigger impact beyond the build: This expansion highlights Empire’s community investment and supports the broader push to close rural broadband gaps.

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Empire Fiber Internet, a leading fiber optic internet service provider serving communities across New York and Pennsylvania, has completed its latest fiber expansion in Steuben County, bringing reliable high-speed service to residents in Avoca, Birdseye Hollow, Caton, Hornby, Howard, and Savona. Nearly 2,000 more homes are now connected, strengthening access to the kind of broadband service needed for work, school, and daily life.

The expansion reflects Empire Fiber Internet’s continued partnership with Steuben County to bring modern broadband infrastructure to rural communities. For the company, the project reinforces its local roots, deepens its investment in the region, and extends its role as both a service provider and a community partner.

“Headquartered right here in Steuben County, we’re proud to employ local residents and invest in the community where we live and work,” said Kevin Dickens, CEO of Empire Fiber Internet. “This expansion is about more than fiber, it’s about connecting people to opportunities, education, and each other. Now, nearly 2,000 more households can experience fast, reliable internet that supports how they live, work, and learn every day.”

This announcement is significant for the company, showing measurable network growth, deepening its local footprint, and demonstrating execution on long-term infrastructure investment. It also reinforces Empire Fiber Internet’s reputation as a provider focused on reliability, community impact, and future-ready broadband.

“Steuben County is extremely proud and grateful for our partnership with Empire Access for the expansion of rural broadband services across our communities,” said Jack Wheeler, Steuben County Manager. “When the County received American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in 2021, the County Legislature made it clear that rural broadband was the top priority for use of these funds, and as a result, over 2,000 previously unserved homes and businesses will now have access to high-speed internet. This would not be possible without the investment and dedication of Empire Access, who has been a trusted and responsive partner. We are thrilled with the fruition of this project and will continue to work with Empire to explore opportunities to expand broadband to all.”

Across the broadband sector, providers and local governments are under pressure to close rural connectivity gaps. This project shows how public funding and private deployment can work together to expand access, turning broadband expansion into both a service milestone and a workforce-development opportunity.

On May 13, the team will also participate in Career Day with Prattsburgh Elementary School, giving students a hands-on look at careers in fiber internet and technology. That effort underscores that broadband expansion is not only about connectivity, but also about building awareness of the jobs and skills that support the industry’s future.

Steuben County residents can check availability and sign up at empirefiber.com. Empire Fiber Internet offers 100% fiber connections with symmetrical speeds up to 2 Gig, enterprise-level reliability, locally staffed customer support, and no data caps.

To learn more about Empire Fiber Internet, visit empirefiber.com.