For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Withers, (703) 351-2087, [email protected]
Indianapolis, Ind. (September 26, 2016)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today recognized 12 companies in rural areas of the United States that have earned Smart Rural Community Showcase awards as part of the association’s initiative to highlight efforts that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business.
The goal of the NTCA Smart Rural Community initiative is to foster the development of smart communities throughout rural America and Canada by encouraging innovative implementation of broadband solutions and access to next-generation applications for distance learning, telehealth services, public safety and security. Smart Rural Community provides educational programming, matching grant resources and an award program to recognize top-performing communities. Today, NTCA recognized member companies that embody Smart Rural Community principles.
The following broadband providers received national recognition:
- West Wisconsin Telcom Cooperative, Inc. (Downsville, Wis.)
- Arvig (Melrose, Minn.)
- Ben Lomand Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (McMinnville, Tenn.)
- Citizens Telephone Cooperative (New Auburn, Wis)
- ComSouth Telecommunications (Hawkinsville, Ga.)
- Garden Valley Telephone Co. (Erskine, Minn.)
- Home Telephone Co., Inc. (Moncks Corner, S.C.)
- Liberty Communications (West Liberty, Iowa)
- Mosaic Telecom (Cameron, Wis.)
- Pineland Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (Metter, Ga.)
- SkyLine Membership Corp. (West Jefferson, N.C.)
- UNITEL, Inc. (Unity, Maine)
NTCA Smart Rural Community award recipients were recognized at a gathering of more than 1,100 rural telecom leaders in Indianapolis. In addition to receiving national and local recognition for their extraordinary efforts, the selected award recipients will join recipients of prior year awards to formulate best practices and assist other rural communities in the implementation of innovative broadband-enabled solutions to drive economic and community strength in rural areas throughout the nation.
For more information about the initiative, visit www.ntca.org/smart.
Photos are available online.
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NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing more than 800 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of exploding technology, deregulation and marketplace competition, NTCA’s members are leading the IP evolution for rural consumers, delivering technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development and commerce, education, health care, government services, security and smart energy use. Visit us at www.ntca.org.