For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Red River Communications
Dirk Monson, Member Support Manager
701-553-8309 or 701-205-9812
dirkmonson@redrivercomm.com

Richland County Receives National Recognition as Smart Rural Community

Red River Communications honored for delivering broadband-enabled solutions in agriculture, health care, and education

(September 25, 2017, Abercrombie, ND)— Red River Communications is one of 13 rural communications firms nationwide to be honored with the title Smart Rural Community by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, which cited Red River Communications’ advanced communications services and collaboration with local leaders in agriculture, health care, and education as keys to its success.

At a gathering of more than 1,000 leaders of rural telecommunications providers hosted by NTCA, Red River Communications was honored with an award for deploying advanced technologies and leveraging those technologies to enable innovation in the areas of economic development and commerce, education, enhanced health care, government services, security and energy use. Red River Communications’ efforts were judged against those of dozens of other communities nationwide by a panel of experts from the fields of telecommunications, software and technology services, education, health care and economic development.

In addition to Red River Communications, 12 other providers and their communities in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada, also were recognized.

“Red River Communications is prime example of the power of a broadband connection and a steadfast commitment to growth and prosperity,” said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield. “Not only are the people of Red River Communications charting their own path to a more prosperous future, they are also creating a road map for many more communities across the country to follow suit. I commend the people of Red River Communications for these extraordinary efforts.”

The NTCA Smart Rural Community initiative recognizes and celebrates the efforts of rural telecommunications providers and their communities to deliver technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. The goal of the initiative is to foster the development of Smart Rural Communities throughout rural America by recognizing trailblazers and providing resources to assist broadband providers and connected industries.

“We are pleased and excited to accept this award,” said Dirk Monson, Member Support Manager, who received the award on behalf of Red River Communications. “We have worked hard with our local leaders to ensure that our citizens have access to advanced communications and the many benefits those services enable. We look forward to building on our success for many years to come.”
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About Red River Communications

Red River Communications (Red River Rural Telephone Association) in Abercrombie, ND is a leading-edge communications cooperative offering gigabit internet, phone, digital tv, wireless internet, and cellular services. The cooperative serves nearly 4000 members across 1500 square miles of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.

About NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 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.