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Mishawaka-based Schurz Communications Inc. has formed a new division to lead its portfolio of regional fiber-based internet providers.

The company said Schurz Broadband Group aims to advance innovation and expansion of its broadband communication services while maintaining local leadership and brand identity. Schurz Communications owns and operates six broadband providers across the United States, as well as a cloud managed services provider.

“By launching SBG, we are maximizing our support for our broadband properties,” company President and CEO John Reardon said in a news release. “The SBG leadership team excels in creating strategic opportunities for our broadband businesses. We’re excited to see the meaningful impact this important organization will deliver.”

Schurz Communications was founded in 1872 with the launch of the South Bend Tribune and later started numerous radio and TV stations and acquired other newspapers. The family-owned company sold its television and publishing divisions by 2019 and now focuses on broadband operations and cloud services.

Schurz owns and operates Antietam Broadband in Maryland; Burlington Telecom in Vermont; Hiawatha Broadband in Minnesota; Long Lines Broadband in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota; NKTelco in Ohio; and Orbitel Communications in Arizona.

The cloud managed services company is Otava based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Schurz portfolio also includes a variety of minority investments in other companies.

Schurz also announced the appointment of the Schurz Broadband Group senior leadership team. Diego Anderson, formerly a company executive vice president, was named president of the broadband division. Jim Kronenbusch, vice president of network and product planning, was named chief technology officer of the broadband division. And Sheryl S. Rosen, vice president of marketing and strategy, was named chief marketing officer of the new division.

“Schurz Broadband Group reflects our belief that broadband connectivity should be both cutting-edge fiber-based innovation and locally driven community-centered economic development,” Anderson said. “We are excited to be bringing our regional companies together in a new way—while also preserving what makes them special: being local, creating new opportunities to grow, innovate, and deliver an exceptional customer experience.”

In February, Schurz Communications named a new chief financial officer, Austin Cook, Inside INdiana Business reported.

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