named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
ErieNet Middle Mile Dark Fiber Network
Develops and operates a middle-mile dark fiber network to expand broadband infrastructure across Erie County, enabling last-mile providers to deliver high-speed internet to underserved communities.
activities · 1 group
What they do
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Community Broadband Infrastructure Development 3 activities
- Deploying and managing a countywide open-access fiber-optic networkConstructing and operating a nearly 400-mile open-access dark fiber network across Erie County to interconnect all municipalities and key public institutions, including schools, hospitals, libraries, and public safety facilities, with redundant, fault-tolerant infrastructure using high-grade cabling and ring configurations. The network supports SONET, CWDM, DWDM, Ethernet, and other technologies to meet diverse broadband needs.
- Expanding fiber connectivity to underserved and rural areas and community anchor institutionsExtends high-speed fiber-optic infrastructure to unserved, underserved, and rural areas in Erie County, with recent expansions adding 42 miles and connecting 82 anchor institutions such as police, fire, emergency services, and government offices to improve public service reliability and economic development.
- Providing wholesale broadband services via dark and lit fiber leasingOffers scalable, symmetrical fiber-optic broadband services up to 100 Gbps by leasing both dark and lit fiber capacity to carriers, enterprises, and organizations across Erie County, supporting middle-mile and last-mile connectivity and enabling affordable, high-speed internet solutions for businesses and institutions.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$11.57M
Contributions & grants$11.47M99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$7K0%
Other revenue$100K
expenses
Total expenses$1.12M
Program expenses55%
Admin / overhead45%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$305K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$41.71M
Cash$18.65M
Investments$0
Liabilities$18.30M
Net assets$23.41M
Liquid reserves199.3 mo
4 years on record · 2022–2025 · YoY revenue +51.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MELISSA HARTMAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $163K |
board members · 11
- DANIEL CASTLE — DIRECTOR
- ELIZABETH FREAS — DIRECTOR
- JASON KEDING — DIRECTOR
- JEREMY TOTH — SECRETARY
- JOHN GILMOUR — DIRECTOR
- JOHN MILLS — DIRECTOR
- MARK CORNELL — TREASURER
- MARTHA BUYER — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL BREEDEN — VICE CHAIR
- NOLAN SKIPPER — DIRECTOR
- THOMAS BAINES — CHAIR
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- Charter Communications Partner — Existing broadband provider in the region with whom ErieNet aims to increase competition.
- City of Buffalo Government — City of Buffalo Deputy Mayor Thomas Baines serves as Chairman of the ErieNET Board of Directors.
- City of Buffalo Partner — Finalized partnership agreement for inclusion in the ErieNet fiber network.
- ConnectAll Government — Primary grant funder through the Municipal Infrastructure Program
- Empire State Development Government — State agency involved in funding and supporting the ErieNet expansion project
- Erie County Government — Collaborates with Erie County leadership to expand broadband access in rural and underserved areas.
- Erie County Government — Fiber optic backbone is owned by Erie County and managed by ErieNet.
- Erie County Government — Multiple Erie County officials, including the Legislature Minority Leader, Deputy Budget Director, County Attorney, and other department heads, serve on the ErieNET Board of Directors.
- Erie County Government — Owns the fiber optic backbone of the ErieNet broadband network while ErieNet manages and controls operations.
- Erie County Government Government — Provides middle-mile dark fiber network services to support local government operations, including shared GIS files, centralized record keeping, disaster recovery, and inter-municipal collaboration.
- John Spears Partner — Board member and advocate for learning and access at ERIENET LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
- NYS ConnectAll Office Funder — Provided a $5,088,000 grant to support fiber deployment for municipal sites.
- Office of Governor Kathy Hochul Government — State leadership providing funding and support for broadband infrastructure expansion
- University at Buffalo Partner — Colleges and universities in Erie County, including University at Buffalo, are served by the organization's middle-mile fiber network to support internet access, voice service, and connectivity for students and faculty, including those in rural areas.
- Verizon Partner — Existing telecommunications provider in the region with whom ErieNet aims to increase competition.
- business associations Partner — Partners with ErieNet to support broadband access for local businesses.
- economic development organizations Partner — Works with ErieNet to ensure broadband network development supports local economic growth.
- local governments Partner — Collaborates with ErieNet to align broadband infrastructure with regional economic needs.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Infrastructure-Led Digital Equitymethodology: infrastructure_first_deploymentBy investing in foundational fiber-optic infrastructure—particularly targeting anchor institutions and complementing existing networks—the organization closes the digital divide and enables equitable access to high-speed internet because robust physical infrastructure is a prerequisite for economic development, education, and healthcare connectivity.
- Open-Access Infrastructure Modelmethodology: open_access_networkBy building publicly owned, open-access dark fiber infrastructure, the organization enables multiple internet service providers to deliver affordable, high-speed broadband, thereby increasing competition and expanding access in unserved and underserved areas because shared infrastructure lowers entry barriers and prevents monopolistic pricing.
- Public-Private Partnership Leveragemethodology: public_private_partnershipBy fostering public-private partnerships and collaborating with local governments and economic development organizations, the organization aligns broadband expansion with regional business needs and secures broader investment because combining public oversight with private innovation and capital accelerates deployment and ensures long-term sustainability.
- Self-Sustaining Network Financingmethodology: self_sustaining_network_financingBy operating a self-sustaining wholesale model where user fees from enterprises and carriers fund network operations, the organization ensures long-term financial viability because cost recovery through usage—not subsidies—supports ongoing maintenance and expansion without reliance on recurring public funding.