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Our small business blog series, Connected by GFiber, continues! This time we're featuring Jana Chellaperumal, owner of the Morrisville Raptors cricket team in North Carolina's Research Triangle region and former president of the Triangle Cricket League. Jana shares how GFiber's high-speed reliable internet supports the game of cricket.

When the Triangle Cricket League partnered with the Town of Morrisville in 2010 to grow the game in the region, the Town had the vision to expand how we serve our community that plays cricket. TCL had been a vital partner for growth and connecting the Town with opportunities to continue the vision. But we needed infrastructure that could connect our players, our fans, and our community on a global scale. Five years ago, when GFiber came to Church Street Park in Morrisville, it became the missing piece that transformed cricket in our region from a local interest into a robust international offering, seen from the Research Triangle to Bangladesh, India, and beyond.

I'm one of the owners and manager of the Morrisville Raptors of Minor League Cricket, and our home matches are played at Church Street Park in Morrisville. We have teams traveling from as far as New Jersey, Baltimore and Orlando to compete here. The Town hosts Major League Cricket matches that draw crowds from around the world. The enthusiasm translates to the success of the Triangle Cricket League. I'm proud that we've developed a program — more than 3,000 members strong — where young players can train alongside international professionals and set their sights on reaching the highest levels of the game.

Photo Credit: Minor League Cricket

And what makes it even more special is the high-speed fiber-optic internet infrastructure.

These dollars flow through the Wake County hospitality sector and are reinvested into our community, supporting continued improvements to our facilities and programs.

If you’ve ever tried to build a “smart community,” you know how complicated it can get. One

vendor for locks. Another for smart devices. Another for internet. Multiple contracts, massive

upfront costs, and when something breaks, the finger-pointing begins.

At Quext, we’ve always believed there had to be a simpler way. And a big part of that simplicity comes from working with great partners who share our vision. That’s why I’m excited to share that we’ve integrated with GFiber to launch Quext Smart Communities powered by GFiber, a unified platform that brings Access Control, IoT, and Managed Internet together and eliminates the fragmentation multifamily and proptech have dealt with for years.

No more juggling systems. No more “Who do I call?” headaches. Just one integration, one

platform, one seamless experience. As our Chief Strategy Officer, Blake Miller, said: “When

technology fades into the background and just works, that’s when it’s truly powerful.” And that’s exactly what we’ve built with GFiber. A platform that makes connectivity effortless for residents and property teams alike.

Smart communities shouldn’t be stitched together from disconnected apps and vendors. They should just work. GFiber delivers a future-proof solution with multi-gig speeds and Wi-Fi 7. Quext provides the smart community platform that runs on top of it. Together, we’re replacing a patchwork of tools with a streamlined solution that’s reliable, affordable, and future-ready.

For owners and operators, this integration is about more than convenience; it’s about unlocking new value. Instead of heavy upfront hardware costs, everything is bundled into one predictable monthly price.

Even better, owners can generate new net operating income (NOI) through bulk pricing and optional technology revenues directly in the Quext dashboard. And because we’re the only platform with direct integrations into RealPage, Yardi, and Entrata, move-ins and move-outs happen automatically. That means less manual work, fewer systems to learn, and a smoother experience for everyone.

For residents, we’re delivering what the industry has been asking for: a true “one-app” experience. App fatigue is real, and having to download multiple apps just to live in an apartment is no longer acceptable. With Quext, when residents walk in the door, their internet works from day one- and from there, one app controls everything: door access, thermostats, Wi-Fi plans, and guest permissions. No technician visits, no juggling multiple passwords, and no app overload.

Property teams are already stretched thin, and our platform automates the routine work so they can focus on what matters most. When a lease starts, the system automatically sends access credentials and internet setup. When a resident moves out, the unit resets on its own. One dashboard. One support team. Total peace of mind. This integration with GFiber isn’t just a new product; it’s a new operating model for our industry.

We’re solving the biggest pain points owners face while creating a modern living experience residents actually love. Reliable fiber internet, powerful device automation, and seamless access control, all delivered through one trusted platform.

At Quext, our mission has always been to make technology serve people. With GFiber, we’re doing exactly that: making smart communities simple, scalable, and sustainable for the future.

If you’re ready to see what the next generation of smart living looks like, we’d love to show you what’s possible.

Posted by Dave Marcinkowski, CEO, Quext

Our blog series, Connected by GFiber, continues! This time we're featuring the Association House of Chicago, where GFiber's support makes free technology programs like AI Essentials and Microsoft Office Certification available to all. Learn how accessible tech training is helping people like Martina, Palak, and Alex reclaim their confidence, re-enter the workforce, and reimagine their futures.

When Martina found herself at home recovering from cancer, unemployed and uncertain about the future, she needed more than a distraction—she needed a way to reclaim control. That’s when she discovered Association House of Chicago’s technology programs, made possible through the generous support of GFiber. 

“I was just trying to find other things to do and keep myself busy,” she recalls. Enrolling in AI Essentials gave her both structure and purpose. “Once I started to do it on my own, I was in control of my own time, and how fast I wanted to do things.” 

After quickly receiving her AI certification, Martina went on to earn her Excel Associate certification, pursue project management training, and prepare to step back into the workforce with renewed confidence. 

Martina’s story is a powerful reminder of what happens when opportunity meets access. For Palak, a new mother looking to return to her tech career, the same courses provided a bridge back into opportunity. “I wanted to brush up my skills after my baby was born, and these classes gave me the confidence to step back into the tech field,” she says. 

From Digital Skills for Life to AI Essentials and Microsoft Office certification, Palak sharpened her technical abilities while reclaiming her professional confidence. “The Intermediate Excel class made the biggest difference for me—I recommend it to everyone who wants to learn data skills. The teaching and support here are amazing,” she adds, highlighting instructors like Casey Moulton, who guided her every step of the way. 

For Alex, technology training was about more than career advancement—it was a tool to help others. After years of working as a teacher, and noticing that parents often needed support too, he was inspired to enroll in Association House's Financial Careers Training course, which connected him with AI Essentials. 

“These classes felt like an opportunity to help people in ways I hadn't considered before,” he explains. "Puzzling through complicated financial decisions can be a lot, and with the AI skills I learned here, I can help people consider all their options and increase their financial literacy." 

His advice to new learners captures the spirit of Association House: “You have to have the mindset that you are going to succeed… and it’s perfectly alright to open yourself up to things you didn't know before."

The journeys of Martina, Palak, and Alex illustrate the transformative power of accessible technology education: confidence restored, opportunities expanded, and futures reimagined. 

Thanks to GFiber’s unwavering support, programs like Digital Skills for Life, Senior Planet, Microsoft Office Certification, and AI Essentials remain free to all, ensuring that every learner—no matter their circumstance—can step boldly into their digital future.

This installment of our Connected by GFiber series features Little Explorers, a children’s play cafe in Kansas City, MO. GFiber’s reliable internet helps provide a connected gathering space for families to explore and unwind.

In the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, Little Explorers is more than just a children’s play cafe; it’s a community hub. For us, reliable internet isn't a luxury—it's the backbone of our mission to create a truly accessible gathering space for families.

The idea for Little Explorers was born out of personal need. Whenever I wanted to take my daughter to do anything fun, we’d have to drive 30 minutes out. I wanted to create something for our kids to do that is on the bus line, is accessible for people that don’t have cars, and is minutes from everything in Kansas City.

Little Explorers is designed to cater to the diverse needs of modern families. Kids explore a stocked playroom and a safe, engaging environment, while parents grab a coffee or a snack and take advantage of the workspace — and great Wi-Fi. Many parents work remotely at the cafe while their children play nearby.

One of the most special parts of our space is Open Play, a time where little ones can freely explore, imagine, and create. Our dramatic play areas let children step into different roles, build stories, and connect with others through play, while our sensory zones give them the chance to discover and grow at their own pace.

In addition to daily play, Little Explorers also hosts parties and special events, like the upcoming Arts and Crafts hour on November 20th. 

All of this activity requires reliable, high-speed internet, like Little Explorers’ GFiber. 

Before signing up for GFiber, we were unable to run daily operations smoothly. We couldn’t even get a reliable phone signal, missing crucial voicemails and emails and struggling to operate point-of-sale systems. This unreliable connection hindered what Little Explorers could offer its guests. 

Connecting to GFiber was a game-changer, transforming our offerings and providing the stability and speed necessary to power all their services. 

GFiber’s reliable connection not only allows Little Explorers to run daily operations smoothly, but also enhances the overall experience for families. 

The vision doesn’t stop here. In the future, Little Explorers hopes to expand and offer more resources for children and families in the community. STEM programs, free groceries, and a mobile clinic are on the list of possibilities for the playroom, and we even hope to kickstart a community garden. With a reliable foundation in place, Little Explorers is well-positioned to continue growing and serving its community in impactful ways.

Posted by Shavonne Mann, Owner, Little Explorers Playroom.

For the past 20 years, in one of the wealthiest communities in Colorado, SECOR Cares has been addressing a unique and often overlooked need: suburban poverty. When you think of poverty, you might picture urban metro centers with tent cities or rural homes lacking modern amenities like clean water and electricity. But the fastest-growing segment of poverty is the one you wouldn't expect. Poverty in the suburbs is growing at three times the rate of urban poverty, but remains nearly invisible. 

Suburban poverty looks like a single mom juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet; a family of four who lost their sole income just before the holidays; a senior couple who thought they had saved enough for retirement but now find themselves barely scraping by. Many of these people don’t qualify for traditional support services because their income is just above the federal poverty line, yet not enough to sustain themselves. They may be your kids’ teacher, your next-door neighbor, the person working on your car or a nurse at your local hospital; perhaps even you. Unfortunately, the sense of shame people feel often prevent them from sharing their struggles, keeping suburban poverty under the radar.

SECOR aims to eliminate this stigma by providing a safe space filled with hope as people work to rebuild their lives. At first glance, you might think that SECOR is just another food pantry, but you'll quickly see how it is different. Every inch of SECOR’s Free Food Market is designed with dignity in mind. 

Our goal is to go beyond meeting the most basic needs and offering items that help our guests regain a sense of normalcy, and in a way, feel more like themselves again. The market is set up like a grocery store, so guests get to ‘shop’ for themselves, deciding which items their children will eat, planning out meals, and accommodating dietary needs. In addition to the traditional pantry staples, SECOR offers meat, fresh produce, and even flowers. 

We’ve intentionally cultivated an environment where everyone who walks through our doors feels genuinely welcomed—treated not just as a visitor, but as an honored guest. That’s why we’ve chosen this term over the more traditional “client.”

Dignity also guides our approach beyond the flagship Free Food Market. SECOR has a board of guests who serve in an advisory role to provide feedback and brainstorm new initiatives. We're constantly looking for new ways to make our guest experience even better and for this reason, it is crucial to center the voices of our guests in everything we do. One of the new initiatives SECOR has started, inspired by guest feedback, is a digital literacy class. 

With the exciting new sponsorship from GFiber, SECOR will be able to offer a 6-week digital literacy course designed to teach guests—some of whom may have never used a laptop—the essential skills needed to navigate a computer. At the end of the course, they get to keep the laptop they’ve been working on. In today’s world, not being able to use technology is more detrimental than ever. Technology is how we access the world—it's how we pay bills, communicate with our social networks, and work toward self-sufficiency. Some guests take this class to get a better job, others to talk with their grandkids across the world, or to be able to help their own children with their homework. 

Another guest-inspired idea launching at SECOR is a craft fair. Nearly 30 vendors, all of whom are SECOR guests, will showcase their creativity and talents.

What makes this event truly special is that participants pay no vendor fees to join, and 100% of the profits go directly to the vendors. Unlike many poverty-focused initiatives that highlight scarcity and what people lack, this fair shifts the perspective to celebrate strength, resilience, skill, and creativity. By doing so, it empowers families to grow their income and build toward self-sufficiency. 

This year’s event will be held on Saturday, October 25th from 12:00 - 4:00 pm MT and 17151 Pine Lane, Parker, CO 80134. If you’re local to the Denver area, we’d welcome any residents to stop by, shop, and support our incredible vendors. If you’re not nearby but want to be part of this work, you can always give or learn more at www.secorcares.com.

Posted by Brie Dilley, Executive Director, SECOR Cares