Just over a month ago, Crane.news reported that Brightspeed Fiber construction appeared ready to begin in town. Today, the project is complete - and Crane residents can already sign up for Brightspeed’s high-speed fiber internet service.

The installation work wasn’t just another statewide project - it was handled by JW Fiber Group, a company based in Crane. Owners John Reed and Whitney Jackson say the milestone carries extra meaning for them.

“We’ve worked in many towns, but Crane is home,” they told Crane.news. “Every mile of fiber we lay here feels like an investment back into our own community, not just another project.”

Founded by John and Whitney, JW Fiber Group specializes in aerial fiber construction and splicing across Missouri. The company has been part of Brightspeed’s broader rollout, bringing fiber to both larger cities and smaller rural communities.

The pair said projects like this are especially important in towns like Crane: “For years, small towns have been at a disadvantage compared to larger cities when it comes to internet access. Bringing fiber to rural areas helps level the playing field - families can work from home, students can keep up with online learning, and businesses can compete in today’s digital world.”

With Brightspeed Fiber now live, residents have access to plans offering symmetrical speeds - meaning upload and download speeds match - a major advantage for video calls, remote learning, cloud backups, and content creation. This comes as an alternative to Mediacom’s existing cable internet service, which offers fast downloads but significantly slower uploads.

For JW Fiber Group, pride comes from being the boots on the ground. “Brightspeed provides and maintains the service, but we’re the boots on the ground making sure the infrastructure is solid and built to last. Knowing that our crew helped lay the groundwork that makes this service possible - that’s something we take a lot of pride in.”

In Crane, that pride is paired with personal meaning. “At the end of the day, it’s not just a project - it’s about giving back to the community that raised us.”