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SRT Board Approves $750,000 in Additional Capital Credits to Mark 75th anniversary; Total Distribution Exceeds $4 Million

SRT Board Approves $750,000 in Additional Capital Credits to Mark 75th anniversary; Total Distribution Exceeds $4 Million

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Minot, N.D. – The SRT Board of Directors voted to return $4,075,980 to members through the retirement of capital credits, which includes a special approval of $750,000 to honor the cooperative’s 75th anniversary.

“The SRT Board always looks forward to sharing the cooperative’s success and stability with members. This year marks an especially meaningful occasion for showing our appreciation to those who make SRT’s 75-year history possible,” said Stanley Vangsness, SRT Board President.

The cooperative also updated its process for distributing capital credits to increase efficiency. Members receiving $100 or more in capital credits will still receive a check by mail. Members receiving an amount from $5 to less than $100 will now receive a credit applied to their bill. Members receiving less than $5 will receive an allocation statement and the amount will be added to the next year’s account balance.

“Each decision we make is ultimately about creating value for our membership. Streamlining how we deliver capital credits is one way we can do that,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager. “As our 75th anniversary distribution of capital credits demonstrates, SRT enjoys nothing more than delivering value back to our members.”

The retirement includes a combination of the oldest year (2001) and a portion of the current year (2025) allocations. The amount is proportionate to the recipient’s past business with SRT. Credits applied to a member’s bill will appear in May and checks will mail in early June.

Members should inform SRT of changes to their current mailing address to ensure they receive any future capital credit retirements.

For more information on capital credits, visit srt.com/capitalcredits or call 701-858-1200.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 160 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include high-speed fiber internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

Local Student Awarded $2,500 Foundation for Rural Service General Scholarship

Local Student Awarded $2,500 Foundation for Rural Service General Scholarship

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Minot, N.D. – The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) awarded a $2,500 General Scholarship to Laykin Feller of Velva. Laykin attends Minot High School and plans to attend University of North Dakota.

FRS, the philanthropic arm of NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association, awards General Scholarships to an exceptional group of rural students for their first year of college or vocational school. All applicants require partnership with an NTCA member company to be eligible. SRT, as the NTCA partner, also contributes toward the scholarship award.

“As a cooperative, SRT is committed to investing in local youth to support their future goals,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager. “We are proud to partner with the Foundation for Rural Service to extend this scholarship opportunity to these exceptional students – and it’s always thrilling when a student from our rural service area wins this national award. Congratulations and best wishes to Laykin.”

A full list of scholarship awardees and more about the program is available online at www.frs.org/scholarships.

The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and its members, seeks to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America by advancing an understanding of rural issues. Through scholarships, grants, and a variety of educational programs, FRS focuses on educating rural youth, encouraging community development and introducing policymakers to challenges unique to rural communities. Learn more at www.frs.org.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative and a multi-gig internet provider. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north-central North Dakota. SRT built a fiber optic broadband network throughout its service area. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security and surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

SRT Announces 2026 Scholarship and Youth Tour Students

SRT Announces 2026 Scholarship and Youth Tour Students

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Minot, N.D. – SRT has announced the 2026 winners of seven college scholarships totaling $15,000.

The following six students each won a $2,000 SRT General Scholarship:

  • Brynn Hanson (Burlington) – DLB High School
  • Hattie Heer (Douglas) – South Prairie High School
  • Cooper Kittleson (Velva) – Velva High School
  • Sam Knudsvig (Minot) – Our Redeemer’s Christian School
  • Collin Swenson (Minot) – Our Redeemer’s Christian School
  • Brooke Zimmer (Mohall) – MLS-Mohall High School

Tate Heer of Douglas won the $3,000 SRT Technical Scholarship. He will attend Bismarck State College’s Electrical Lineworker program.

“We always look forward to rewarding area students for their accomplishments,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager. “As we celebrate our 75th Anniversary this year, we are especially honored to continue this decades-long commitment of supporting local youth and their bright futures.”

Shaun Randall and Makayla White of Berthold High School will represent SRT at the 2026 Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. These students will learn about the telecommunications industry, tour the nation’s capital, and meet with legislative leaders to discuss their experiences in rural North Dakota.

A panel of SRT board members and employees evaluated General Scholarship applications on scholastic performance and achievements, volunteerism and community involvement, and an essay submission. SRT Technical Scholarship applicants were required to submit volunteerism and community involvement, scholastic performance, an essay, and a letter of recommendation from a community member or educator.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative and a multi-gig internet provider. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north-central North Dakota. SRT built a fiber optic broadband network throughout its service area. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security and surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

Kevin Cales Joins SRT as Director of Sales

Kevin Cales Joins SRT as Director of Sales

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MINOT, N.D. – SRT Communications welcomed Kevin Cales on April 10 as the cooperative’s Director of Sales. Cales brings more than 10 years of experience driving growth, efficiency, and organizational performance across cooperative, retail, and energy operations.

Previously, Cales served as Vice President of Retail Operations for several years, promoted from Director of Ag Home Retail, with United Quality Cooperative in New Town, ND. He led multiple retail centers, sales in lumber, fuel, and ag, and millions of dollars of inventory across the business.

“Kevin has achieved an impressive track record in sales and operations,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager. “More importantly, he understands the cooperative model and will reinforce our commitment to member value by strengthening local relationships and optimizing the product mix we offer. We look forward to Kevin’s insights and leadership as we continue to innovate for our members.”

As Director of Sales, Cales will drive revenue growth, lead sales strategy, and build a high-performance culture while advancing the cooperative’s mission-driven, member-first focus. “I am excited to join SRT at this pivotal moment,” he said. “I look forward to leveraging my experience in the retail industry to accelerate our strategic growth and deliver innovative solutions that drive value for our patrons.”

Cales and his wife live in Minot and have three daughters. In his free time he enjoys biking, fishing, hunting, and hiking.

He succeeds Dan Roberts, who retired after more than 33 years with SRT.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative and a multi-gig internet provider. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north-central North Dakota. SRT built a fiber optic broadband network throughout its service area. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security and surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

SRT Announces Call for Artists for 75th Anniversary Commission

SRT Announces Call for Artists for 75th Anniversary Commission

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Minot, ND – SRT is seeking an area artist to create a signature piece to commemorate the cooperative’s 75th Anniversary: “A History of Innovation.” The piece will be unveiled at the SRT Annual Meeting on June 18, 2026.

Artists are encouraged to submit works in any medium including painting, drawing, digital illustration or composite, photographic composition or series, mixed media, etc. Work must be suitable for reproduction by scanning or photography.

The submission schedule is as follows:

  • Artist Background and Vision Submission is due March 20.
  • Finalist Concept Development window is March 25-April 8.
  • Final selection will be made and artist notified by April 10.
  • Finished original work along with digital scan or photo must be delivered by May 18.

All submissions should follow the complete guidelines at www.srt.com/75years. Submissions, questions, or requests for additional details should be emailed to photoentry@srt.com.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative and a multi-gig internet provider. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north-central North Dakota. SRT built a fiber optic broadband network throughout its service area. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security and surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.