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Topic: Member Companies

Rich Coit says ‘so long’ after 27 years of leading SDTA

Rich Coit has played an important role in helping rural telecoms across the state to develop broadband connectivity and other telecommunications services for nearly 28 years. He's now moving to the next phase of his life as he retires from the SDTA.
Grants help S.D. make headway to extend lifeline, connect rural areas

With the help of two years of state and federal grant programs, telecoms serving rural South Dakota are adding nearly $100 million in infrastructure and significantly improving broadband services in underserved areas.
TV documentary on connecting rural SD is worth seeing

Bringing good, broadband connectivity to remote areas of South Dakota is a historic undertaking nearly as challenging and potentially as rewarding as was delivering electricity to rural residents in the mid-20th Century.
Rural S.D. telecoms are unique - especially one in Kennebec

Business divisions that operate as part of Kennebec Telephone Co. Inc. can do everything from tuning up a car to digging a grave for a horse.
Long-Standing Leadership Continues to Improve South Dakota Broadband During COVID-19

In times of uncertainty, SDN Communications has relied on experienced leadership to keep the region connected. Its nine-member Board of Managers has played an integral part in improving communities in South Dakota amid a global pandemic.
Grants will help improve connectivity in rural Davison County

Ryan Thompson, the general manager and CEO of Santel, was pleasantly surprised – and greatly appreciative - when both of the cooperative’s applications were approved recently as part of Gov. Kristi Noem’s Connect South Dakota broadband program.
Telecoms help bring homegrown talent back to South Dakota

Our member companies are helping lure experienced professionals back to their home state, a hiring practice that is good for the regional economy as well as employers.
SDN joins effort to spur more housing development in region

SDN Communications and its 17 member companies across the state, which have been concerned about the issue for several years, have joined with three other regional business organizations to help address the housing crunch.
Upgraded route equipment will help SDN and members grow

SDN Communications is making substantial progress in upgrading its core transmission routes to serve customers’ future needs. It's going to enable SDN and its member companies to efficiently provide higher levels of broadband services.
State grants help SDN affiliates improve connectivity across S.D.

It’s extremely important that the state and telecommunications industry continue to close gaps in connectivity that have left some rural areas of South Dakota underserved. A second round of grants from the Connect South Dakota broadband program will help plug some of the holes.
Governor Kristi Noem Announces Broadband Grant Awards

Governor Kristi Noem announced today that 14 projects have been awarded grants to fund broadband projects to better connect unserved and underserved areas across South Dakota.
Alliance Communications cooperative gives customer-owners $8 million in capital credits checks

This capital credits retirement from Alliance comes at a very crucial time for a lot of their customers—business owners and residents in rural communities in the region.
Alliance serves growing Brandon community from new office complex

The Garretson-based cooperative recently opened a new customer service center in Brandon, which is the biggest community the company serves.
Rural Dell Rapids among five areas to get better internet service

During the 2020 construction season, Golden West plans to upgrade nearly 500 miles of wiring in exchanges that serve rural Dell Rapids and Trent, Reliance and Lower Brule, Springfield, Hot Springs (phase 2), and Plankinton.
Conquering the Digital Divide

Hutterite colony life might seem remote. Many perceive that the religious colonies shun modern technology, including the internet, but Hutterites depend on it for economic survival.
3 municipal telecoms in S.D. pursue worthwhile objective

What do Brookings, Beresford and Faith have in common? They have city-owned telecommunications systems. In fact, they are the only municipalities in South Dakota with their own phone companies.
Grants helping fill gaps in broadband access in rural S.D.

Filling a gap in broadband coverage near the state capital of South Dakota might carry symbolic value. However, the real winners in an infrastructure build-out made possible by a state grant will be hundreds of people who live or work in a rural area north and east of Pierre.
Check out telecom display next time you’re in Chamberlain area

The history of the telecommunications industry in South Dakota is currently one of the featured exhibits in the South Dakota Hall of Fame in Chamberlain.
Achievements and future of co-ops are worth celebrating

The locally focused, grass-roots nature of co-ops is celebrated throughout October, which is National Co-op Month in the United States. The theme is “Co-ops: By the Community, For the Community.” Twelve of the 17 telecommunications companies in South Dakota that own SDN Communications are cooperatives.
New Board president expects need for services to keep growing

Denny Law, the new president of the SDN Communications Board of Managers, expects challenges and opportunities in the telecom industry to keep unfolding rapidly in the future.