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SRT Hosts Rural Prosperity Workshop for North Dakota Community Leaders

SRT Hosts Rural Prosperity Workshop for North Dakota Community Leaders

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Minot, N.D. – SRT welcomed a diverse group of community leaders to its Minot headquarters for Rural Prosperity: A Workshop for Enriching Communities on October 12. Thirty leaders and champions, representing more than a dozen communities across north-central North Dakota, attended the collaborative workshop.

The Rural Prosperity event offered the opportunity for attendees to learn about available funding and other resources, connect with their peers, hear real-life success stories from other communities, and begin building plans to help their own communities thrive.

Kristi Miller, SRT Board President, and Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager, opened the day’s sessions by welcoming attendees and highlighting stories and goals for the day. Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, delivered a video message of encouragement.

Erin Oban, State Director, USDA Rural Development, set the stage for the workshop, which was held during National Coop Month. Quoting from 8th grade North Dakota social studies and underscoring the theme of the day, Oban said, “Cooperatives are ‘formed by a group of people who want to pool their resources for a specific purpose.’” She continued with the “idea that we are better together than we are apart” and posed questions to the group: What do you want for your community? What do you dream of? What do you want for your kids?

Putting dreams into practical context, Megan Langley, Founder and Executive Director of Strengthen ND, discussed the benefits of incremental growth and building a culture of momentum: “Small actions can snowball and amount to meaningful change.” Attendees talked with each other about their communities’ strengths and where they can use support. Langley then prompted them to work on identifying how they could assemble their community team to make things happen. She offered strategies such as leveraging local grantmakers, engaging youth, and connecting with others.

Brian Gion of The Rural Electric and Telcom Development Center discussed how the success of one community can affect the overall economic health of rural North Dakota: “If a town loses its grocery store, its residents won’t necessarily drive to Minot to shop. They might move.” In addition to food access, Gion illustrated how the cooperative model can pool shared services to meet childcare, home care, and ambulance needs in rural communities.

Erin Oban shared funding opportunities available through USDA Rural Development for community programs, rural business and cooperative programs, SEARCH (water project) grants, and the Rural Energy for America Program. USDA Rural Development seeks to help the hundreds of communities that North Dakota has built to “survive and thrive.” Pointing to high-speed internet as essential infrastructure for rural communities to succeed, Oban said North Dakota was “really ahead of our time when we invested in broadband.”

Becky Towery, Community Relations Coordinator for SRT, provided an overview of opportunities that rural communities can pursue through the cooperative. She outlined the federal Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program (REDLG), Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) grants matched by SRT, Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) grants, and SRT’s own corporate giving program (SRT Cares), as funding options for eligible community betterment and development projects.

Langley wrapped up the day with an interactive session on putting “Big Dreams” into practice by breaking down the work and building a coalition of partners.

Attendees networked with each other throughout the day and left with practical information for their own communities. Daniel Dew of Mohall, associated with the Renville County Economic Development Committee, said, “There are at least three things I’m taking away from the workshop today,” which included exploring the ND Rural Grocery Initiative for food access and encouraging more dialogue about community needs and ideas: “We need to ask. We need to talk to people.”

For more information about SRT Cares and other resources that can support community development projects, visit srt.com/srtcares.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 190 people and serves roughly 8,000 square miles and 24,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.SRT.com.

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Bantry Union Cemetery Gets Upgrades with SRT and RDFC Grant Funds

Bantry Union Cemetery Gets Upgrades with SRT and RDFC Grant Funds

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MINOT, N.D. – Bantry Union Cemetery in McHenry County was recently able to place pre-1940 grave markers, thanks in part to funding from a Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) grant matched by SRT Communications.

RDFC awarded a $500 grant to Bantry Union Cemetery in 2022, which SRT matched with an additional $500 donation. Seventeen new grave markers were placed in honor of area settlers this summer.

The cemetery, located north of Towner, was established in the early 1900s. While the City of Bantry is no longer incorporated, the cemetery’s sexton and five-person board will continue to work to keep it clean and up-to-date with its grave sites.

“I know quite a few people buried here,” board member Darlene Tiffany said. “After losing family members myself, it’s so important to honor our deceased family members, and it’s been really rewarding to be able to place so many markers.”

Established as a non-profit organization, funding comes from several sources. Board members for Bantry Union Cemetery are working on fundraising to place a dozen more pre-1940 grave markers this fall. Their research has shown that there were about 70 unmarked graves.

SRT is among the North Dakota rural telecommunication and electric cooperatives that are members of RDFC. A nonprofit finance and development corporation, RDFC provides funding for economic development and diversification projects in rural North Dakota. Applications are submitted to RDFC; if approved, funds are matched 100% by SRT.

“SRT appreciates the rural towns and efforts made by community members who help with projects like this one at Bantry Union Cemetery. We’re happy to be able to match RDFC funding,” said Kristi Miller, SRT Board President.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 190 people and serves more than 48,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT is committed to bringing the benefits of fiber to rural and urban communities alike and earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

The Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) is a nonprofit corporation that encourages economic diversification and community vitality through the generation of funding that supports sustainable asset building. Funding for RDFC programs comes from fee income generated by Dakotas America LLC, a community development entity providing New Market Tax Credits in economically distressed census tracks across the United States. The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives provides support to RDFC.

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SRT Donates Truck to Surrey Fire Protection District

SRT Donates Truck to Surrey Fire Protection District

Minot, N.D. – SRT donated a 2015 Chevrolet 2500 crew cab pickup truck with a utility body, valued at roughly $20,000, to Surrey Fire Protection District. SRT recently visited the district to celebrate the finished truck.

Surrey Fire Protection District Truck Donation


Surrey Fire Protection District’s first rescue truck, the donated vehicle is fully equipped and can haul trailers on rescue calls instead of relying on fire trucks. The new rescue truck can also be used for manpower calls.

“This truck allows us to respond year-round to any medical call,” said Seth Bartholomay, Assistant Chief of Surrey Fire Protection District. “We’ve had some winters with deep snow in recent years. With all the lights, people will see us coming from a long way away.”

Surrey Fire Protection District provides fire and rescue services to Surrey Township and offers mutual aid to surrounding townships and departments. The district has prioritized upgrading equipment and vehicles to enhance their fire and rescue efforts.

“We are always striving to increase our capabilities to better serve our community,” said Bartholomay. “By donating the entire truck, SRT is helping us put resources toward other replacements and upgrades we need. It’s a blessing that the donation happened this way.”

Kristi Miller, SRT Board President, said about the donation, “SRT is grateful to our first responders for the vital role they play in our communities. We are committed to public safety and are humbled to support the life-saving work of Surrey Fire Protection District.”

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 190 people and serves roughly 8,000 square miles and 24,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.SRT.com.

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Foundation for Rural Services (FRS) Grant Applications Available to SRT Communities

Foundation for Rural Services (FRS) Grant Applications Available to SRT Communities

Minot, N.D. – The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) is currently accepting applications for its 2023 Community Grant Program. Awards range from $250 to $5,000.

FRS is a nonprofit organization that works with NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association to sustain and enhance quality of life in America through an understanding of rural issues. The Grant Program is offered annually through NTCA members to support local efforts in building sustainable rural communities for residents.

Because SRT is a member of NTCA, rural communities within SRT’s service area can apply for the FRS Community Grant Program.

Interested applicants can download the application guide here.

Email completed applications to email@srt.com, or mail to:

SRT Communications
Attn: Corporate Communications
PO Box 2027
Minot, ND 58702

The deadline to submit applications is August 21, 2023.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 190 people and serves roughly 8,000 square miles and 24,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.SRT.com.

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SRT Donates $2,500 to Union Silos Public Art Project

SRT Donates $2,500 to Union Silos Public Art Project

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Minot, N.D. –SRT presented a $2,500 check to the Union Silos Public Art Project on Thursday, June 8.

The Union Silos project will transform Minot’s downtown Farmer’s Union Co-op grain silos into North Dakota’s largest mural and an artistic backdrop for the city. So far, project organizers have raised 60% of their $350,000 donation goal.

“This project is only possible with strong community support,” said Chelsea Gleich, Union Silos Co-Organizer. “We are very grateful for donations like SRT’s that will help us celebrate our history of agriculture for years to come.”

A “Monuments Project” is underway in states across the country to beautify public spaces, preserve iconic structures, and attract tourism to unique American communities. Union Silos in Minot will represent North Dakota’s sole Monuments Project.

“SRT proudly invests in the vitality of our region, “ said Kristi Miller, SRT Board President. “Bringing art to Minot that honors our farming heritage will benefit our economy and quality of life. We are pleased to support the Union Silos project and look forward to the installment’s unveiling.”

Work on the project will begin later this summer with Guido van Helten, a visual artist and photographer recognized internationally for creating large-scale mural installations.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 190 people and serves roughly 8,000 square miles and 24,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

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