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SRT Donates $25,000 to Mohall Splash Pad Project

SRT Donates $25,000 to Mohall Splash Pad Project

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MINOT, N.D. – SRT presented $25,000 on February 14 to the Mohall Park District, supporting the city’s capital campaign to replace Mohall’s baby pool with a 1,900 square-foot Family Fun Splash Pad.

A popular attraction for residents of Mohall and surrounding communities, the baby pool fell into disrepair after years of use. The pool was removed in October 2022 to make way for the new splash pad.

“The baby pool provided entertainment for adults and children for decades. Our mission is to keep that entertainment alive for future generations,” said Cheryl Overby, Mohall City Auditor. “The splash pad is a fresh take on our old pool that adds activities, a dynamic space for fun, and visual appeal to our park facilities. We appreciate SRT’s investment in our park and our community,” Overby said.

SRT’s gift goes toward the splash pad’s estimated $199,300 total cost. Site preparation such as water line installation and landscaping incur additional expenses. So far the Mohall Park District has raised $215,000 through a variety of community fundraisers and donations, which speaks to the local support for the project. The district expects to need $60,000 to finish future phases.

“Mohall is a valued community in our region where people can live, work, and raise their families,” said Kristi Miller, SRT Board President. “Recreational amenities contribute to quality of life, and SRT is proud to support this splash pad that will bring enjoyment to area residents of all ages.”

Splash pad construction is projected to begin in May 2023 on the site of the former baby pool. 

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 across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

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SRT Donates $14,000 to Full STEAM Ahead

SRT Donates $14,000 to Full STEAM Ahead

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 MINOT, N.D. – SRT recently presented a check totaling the company’s support of Full STEAM Ahead’s Lego League Explore program.

Since 2019, SRT has donated $14,000 to the program, opening the door for hundreds of kids ages 6-14 to participate for free.

FIRST® LEGO® League is a branch of an international program that encourages kids to develop an early interest in fields related to science and technology.

“It’s been really great for the kids, working through new challenges by building and programming LEGOs. They really enjoy it, and the opportunity is available thanks to SRT,” said Ali Auch, Full STEAM Ahead Executive Director and Founder.

STEAM Teams Powered by SRT learn through exploratory research, hands-on construction, and the use of LEGO elements. The students work together to bring these robotic models to life.

“SRT believes in technology’s potential to improve life for people in our region,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. “When young students pursue knowledge in this discipline, they are on the way to an exciting future and a meaningful education. We see the importance of STEAM in our business daily, and we are proud to support this program for local kids.”

Full STEAM Ahead is a nonprofit organization in Minot, ND that was formed in 2017. Full STEAM Ahead is an umbrella organization that helped meld youth with science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. 

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 across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

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SRT Offers Local and National Scholarship Opportunities

SRT Offers Local and National Scholarship Opportunities

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 MINOT, N.D. – The 2023 SRT College Scholarship Program applications are now available. Five local scholarships totaling $8,500 will be awarded to students in 2023. National scholarships are also available through SRT’s partnership with the Foundation for Rural Service.

The SRT College Scholarship program awards four $1,500 scholarships. The program evaluates community involvement, school activities, an essay response, and grade point average.

The SRT Technical Scholarship will award $2,500 to one student. This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors or undergraduate students studying telecommunications or other computer-technology-related fields.

SRT is also proud to partner as a member of the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) to participate in a national scholarship program that can provide local students with scholarships. Students submitting an FRS application are eligible for multiple national scholarship opportunities.

Applications are available online at srt.com/srtcares. FRS Scholarship applications are due February 8 and SRT Scholarship applications are due March 3. Scholarship recipients will be announced in April and an awards luncheon will be held for the winners.

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 across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

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SRT Chief Operating Officer John Reiser Retiring

SRT Chief Operating Officer John Reiser Retiring

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 MINOT, N.D. – John Reiser, SRT Chief Operating Officer and Assistant General Manager, will retire November 30 after 26 years with the organization.

Reiser joined SRT as Controller in 1996, then progressed to Director of Accounting before becoming COO/Assistant General Manager in 2003. As COO he led SRT through several pivotal milestones for the cooperative. While SRT was transitioning from a landline phone company to a broadband company, Reiser oversaw day-to-day operations while managing key projects that helped SRT build its state-of-the-art fiber optic network. He also negotiated with national wireless carriers when SRT exited the retail wireless business in 2017, as well as ongoing tower lease agreements.

“We all hold John in high regard for his impressive knowledge of telecommunications, from policy and insurance to contracts and many other aspects of the industry,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. “His ability to view situations with the big picture in mind will be greatly missed.”

A respected voice in the industry, Reiser served nationally on NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association’s Retirement & Security Program and Savings Plan Trust Committee. His legal background and human resources expertise were assets to the national committee and an invaluable resource for SRT employees.

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 earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

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Mouse River Park All Faiths Chapel Gets Upgrades with SRT and RDFC Grant Funds

Mouse River Park All Faiths Chapel Gets Upgrades with SRT and RDFC Grant Funds

Mouse River Chapel Check Presentation SRT

MINOT, N.D. – Mouse River Park All Faiths Chapel in Tolley received new windows partially funded by a Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) grant matched by SRT Communications.

RDFC awarded a $500 grant to Mouse River Park All Faiths Chapel in 2021, which SRT matched with an additional $500 donation. The chapel used the funds to install new replacement windows – an upgrade that enhances the building’s appearance and helps to insulate it against North Dakota weather.

The chapel provides a community space for services, community meetings, family gatherings, and entertainment. Special functions include women’s bible study every Monday and a Christmas Eve mass every year. Local residents donated quilts and blankets for each pew to keep congregants warm during the late-night holiday service.

Shawna Atwood, Secretary/Treasurer and Board member of the chapel, grew up two miles from where it stands today. She recalls her father and other area neighbors supporting the idea of having a chapel by the park. In 1992 the chapel was moved from Greene, North Dakota, to its current home on the east end of Mouse River Park.

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 throughout our service area. We gladly match RDFC funding for projects that help our local communities thrive,” 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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