Kinetic's commitment in the wake of devastation

On May 21, 2024, Greenfield, Iowa, a community of 2,000 residents located an hour away from Des Moines, was struck by a devastating EF-4 tornado. This powerful storm left a trail of destruction, plunging many residents into darkness and disrupting their Kinetic services. In these challenging times, Kinetic stepped up with unwavering dedication to assist the community, showcasing our commitment to quality, helpfulness, and local support.

Andrew Schulz

editor

- David Faggard

Newsworthy

Greenfield, IA residence in the wake of natural disaster

Immediate response and community support

At Kinetic, we prioritize the safety and connectivity of our customers, especially during times of crisis. The tornado resulted in the tragic loss of four lives and injured at least 35 people. Our team sprang into action immediately after the storm, with technicians navigating debris-laden streets to assess the damage and initiate restoration efforts. The tornado severed critical fiber-optic and copper cables, toppled telephone poles, and disrupted internet and phone services across the community.

Understanding the importance of connectivity, Kinetic technicians worked tirelessly to restore services. More than 22,000 feet of cable were placed underground to reconnect vital locations, such as the hospital.

Our senior vice president of field operations, Barry Bishop, emphasized our commitment: “We will rebuild better, and we will connect our customers with their loved ones; that’s our promise to this community.”

Local-ness

Kinetic’s strength lies in our local presence and deep connection to the communities we serve. In Greenfield, our employees mobilized not only to restore services but also to provide comfort and support to those affected by the tornado. On the Friday night following the storm, Kinetic employees organized a food truck to deliver hot meals to responders and residents who had lost everything. In addition to serving 560 meals and handing out cases of water, our team was there to offer an empathetic ear and a helping hand.

Our regional marketing consultant, Tisha Kemp, expressed pride in the team’s efforts:

“I’m honored to be a part of a team that provided a small bit comfort like hot meals to this community. Many thanks to the Kaaswagen food truck for being ready to serve; they dropped everything to support us and our customers. I’m so proud of our team on the ground—not only for working tirelessly with cleanup and restoration of services but also for being the hands and feet that delivered food and water to those who couldn’t get to the food truck.”

Kinetic has pledged its continued support, emphasizing the importance of building back better and strengthening the community’s infrastructure to withstand future challenges.

“Seeing the destruction and hearing the stories of those who have lost so much, we are reminded of the fragility of our daily lives and the strength of our communities when we come together in times of need,” Tisha said. “As we start the process of rebuilding, let’s remember to extend a hand to our neighbors and those in need, offering support in any way we can.”

Commitment to quality and rebuilding better

On the one-year anniversary of the tornado, Kinetic reaffirmed its dedication to Greenfield by investing $650,000 in the town’s fiber infrastructure. This investment includes adding 11 miles of buried fiber to the existing network, bringing high-speed internet to an additional 610 homes and businesses. Once completed, Greenfield will have 19 miles of buried fiber, covering the majority of the town, with 920 fiber-eligible homes and businesses.

This expansion is part of Kinetic’s $2 billion multi-year investment strategy to dramatically expand its multi-gigabit fiber service across its 18-state footprint. Our focus on quality is evident in our approach to restoring services quickly and efficiently, ensuring that our customers can stay connected during difficult times. As we rebuild Greenfield’s infrastructure, we emphasize the importance of strengthening it to withstand future challenges.

Looking ahead

This May 21, 2025, we will remember those impacted by the tornado a year ago. We’re honored to be partnering with the city, planting trees across the devastated areas and sponsoring community remembrance events alongside our infrastructure investments and dinner for the entire city.

As Greenfield recovers from this devastation, Kinetic’s response will be etched in the community’s collective memory. Our actions underscore the vital role of connectivity—not just as a means of communication but as a lifeline that binds communities together.

At Kinetic, we believe in building back better—not just for today but for a stronger, more connected tomorrow. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter future for Greenfield and communities across the nation.