Indianapolis, Ind. (September 30, 2024)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield today announced the winners of the 2024 Smart Rural Community Showcase Awards, presented annually to rural broadband providers who not only provide high-quality, reliable connectivity, but who also have led the way on collaborative and innovative projects that advance the communities they serve.
The Smart Rural Community program is a network of more than 280 communities supported by NTCA member providers who are committed to driving growth through robust broadband service. The Showcase Awards are presented to providers in recognition of their extraordinary achievements in promoting rural broadband networks and innovative applications that create opportunities for the educators, health care providers, farmers, small business owners, public safety professionals and others who help their communities thrive.
The following providers were recognized:
- Adams Fiber (Golden, Ill.) – Adams Fiber installed fiber networks at the Adams and Hancock County Fairgrounds so that local law enforcement and emergency responders have the connectivity needed to keep people safe during events.
- Highline (Escanaba, Mich.) – Highline established the Highline Academy to provide digital skills resources and training to the communities it serves through live-taught, video-based learning that is modern and engaging.
- Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company (Jackson, Neb.) – Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company configured a trailer to serve as a giant Wi-Fi router during the Pink Bandana Mud Volleyball Tournament, helping organizers increase engagement and raise awareness to aid women under 40 battling breast cancer.
- SCTelcom (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) – SCTelcom collaborated with local leaders to develop community-wide Wi-Fi coverage called SmartTown Wi-Fi on the Go tailored to the specific needs and concerns of each of its communities. This has helped ensure that residents are able to connect with first responders from anywhere in their community, enhancing public safety and improving emergency response times.
- SRT Communications (Minot, N.D.) – SRT Communications hosted a rural prosperity workshop for enriching communities, helping leaders of Smart Rural Communities in its service territory learn about funding opportunities and resources available from federal, local, regional and nonprofit experts. This included information on economic and community development grant programs, funding for water and energy projects and SRT’s own giving program, SRT Cares.
- Whidbey Telecom (Langley, Wash.) – Whidbey Telecom launched the Optical Telecom Installer Certification program at the Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center ‒ a first of its kind program giving high school students hands-on fiber technician training and certification.
“Every year, I look forward to seeing the exciting ways our Smart Rural Community providers continue to innovate and drive their communities to succeed,” said NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield. “This year’s winners continue to show what is possible when trusted, proven providers work with local partners to address community needs and improve their neighbors’ quality of life. These community-driven efforts to connect more rural Americans – and to keep them connected to life-changing technologies – offer stories of success that can be repeated. I would like to congratulate Adams Fiber, Highline, Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company, SCTelcom, SRT Communications and Whidbey Telecom on this accomplishment!”
Pictured (l to r): Shirley Bloomfield, NTCA Chief Executive Officer; Bridgette Northern, Adams Marketing Director, and Jill Kuehny, KanOkla Networks Chief Executive Officer and SRC Advisory Council Chair.
The 2024 Showcase Award winners were announced at the 2024 Fall Conference. Watch the announcement video here.
