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Press Release

Renville Cemetery Gets Improvements with SRT and RDFC Grant Funds

Renville Cemetery Gets Improvements with SRT and RDFC Grant Funds

MINOT, N.D. – Renville Cemetery recently unveiled newly planted trees and other improvements partially funded by an RDFC grant matched by SRT Communications.

In 2021 RDFC awarded a $500 grant to Renville Cemetery, which SRT matched with an additional $500 donation. The cemetery used the funds to plant rows of spruce trees along the adjacent farmland and replace the white chain fencing around the cemetery borders.

The Mohall community also helped in the fundraising for this project, which speaks to the local support of the cemetery. The result is an idyllic resting place amid corn and wheat fields for the farming families who have been in Renville Cemetery since 1902.

Jay Rice, the sexton for the Renville Cemetery, had a hand in the tree planting and chain replacement to beautify the space. Rice volunteers his time to maintain the grounds, ensuring it’s mowed and looking tidy. For decades, area residents have assumed the responsibility of upkeep and in recent years Rice took on the work. “We like the history and legacy here,” he said. “We’re happy to keep it up.”

SRT is among the North Dakota rural telecommunication and electric cooperatives that are members of the Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC). The RDFC is a nonprofit finance and development corporation that provides funding for economic development and diversification projects in rural North Dakota. Applications are submitted to the RDFC. If approved, funds are matched 100% by SRT.

“Matching RDFC grant funding is one way SRT shows its support to help 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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SRT Distributes Nearly $2.4 Million in Capital Credits to Its Members

SRT Distributes Nearly $2.4 Million in Capital Credits to Its Members

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MINOT, N.D. – SRT Communications is pleased to announce the distribution of nearly $2.4 million in credits back to its members.

In a decision made by SRT’s Board of Directors, the cooperative will be issuing checks that include a portion of the 2000 allocation and a portion of the 2021 allocation. Checks will be mailed out in early June.

A core benefit of belonging to a cooperative, capital credits represent its members’ ownership equity.

“Capital credits are one of the many ways we can provide real value to our membership. SRT looks forward to this opportunity to share in the cooperative’s financial stability and give back to our members. We are sincerely grateful to them for helping to fulfill our mission and investing in a company they own,” said Kristi Miller, SRT Board President.

How SRT Capital Credits Work

  • At the end of the fiscal year, it is determined whether there are excess revenues, called margins.
  • The margins are allocated to members as capital credits based upon the amount spent by the member during the year.
  • The Board of Directors decides to retire, or pay, the capital credits when the cooperative’s financial condition allows.
  • Members are notified how and when they will receive their capital credit distribution.

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 nearly 200 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, TV, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

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SRT Awards College Scholarships

SRT Awards College Scholarships

MINOT, N.D. – SRT is pleased to announce the 2022 winners of five college scholarships. Of more than 100 applications submitted by outstanding area students, four winners were awarded the SRT Scholarship for $1,500 each. The SRT $2,500 Technical Scholarship winner was also selected.

The $1,500 SRT Scholarship recipients are:

  • Jersey Johnson – Minot High School
  • Madison Moberg – MLS Mohall High School
  • Jadyn Sandy – Velva High School
  • Niah Wollenzien – TGU Towner High School

The winner of the $2,500 SRT Technical Scholarship is Dylan McDonald of Glenburn Public School, who will be attending the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and will major in engineering or computer science.

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“SRT awards scholarships to recognize our area students’ exceptional achievements and support their promising college goals,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO/General Manager. “As always, we received many impressive applications. It’s been an honor to see how much this scholarship program impacts area youth and we are happy to play a small role in their success.”

Applicants for the SRT Scholarship Program were judged on their scholastic performance and achievements, as well as volunteerism and community involvement. Students were required to write an essay discussing how technology has impacted their experience as a student, whether positively or negatively, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SRT Technical Scholarship also required students to submit their volunteerism and community involvement, scholastic performance, and an essay describing how they can use their education and technology to reach rural and underserved populations. Additionally, a letter of recommendation from a community member or educator was required. This scholarship is unique in that it can be awarded to a graduating high school senior or an undergraduate student currently enrolled in a two-year or four-year college.

SRT congratulates the winners and wishes all seniors the best in their future endeavors.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 200 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, TV, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

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SRT Director Earns NTCA Life Achievement Award

SRT Director Earns NTCA Life Achievement Award

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MINOT, N.D. – Ardel Rice, a Director on SRT’s Board since 2000, was selected as a 2021 recipient of the NTCA James L. Bass Director Life Achievement Award in the Excellence Awards program.

The Excellence Awards of NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association – recognize NTCA members who have shown exceptional commitment to their communities and the rural broadband industry.

Rice notably served as SRT’s Board President from 2010-2012, an unprecedented time when a historic flood devastated the Minot area right as SRT’s rural fiber project began. As President, he also led the Board through SRT’s evolution from a telephone to a broadband company. When leading the Board’s 2012 strategic planning, Rice identified key priorities such as anticipating area growth and significant broadband and Fiber to the Home projects. “Many of these priorities are still relevant today, which speaks volumes about the sustainability of Ardel’s vision for our cooperative,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO/General Manager.

During his more-than-two decades on the Board, Rice has served on several subcommittees. Currently he is a member of the SRT Strategic Planning, Building, Board Retreat, Board Policy, and Compensation Committees.

“Whether running his farming business, raising a family with his wife, or supporting his community, Ardel has been a man of exceptional character and attitude,” said fellow Director and previous Board President Allan Engh. “As his son Jay once told me, ‘He’s a man to look up to.’ SRT is privileged to have Ardel on the Board and has benefited immensely from his wisdom and leadership.”

Rice and other winners were announced at the Rural Telecom Industry Meeting & EXPO (RTIME) in February. “We are very fortunate to be surrounded by such talented and accomplished individuals in the telecommunications industry, and I am honored to be able to present them with the 2021 Excellence Awards,” said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield.

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“The winners exemplify the values of dedication, service and innovation in the work and in their communities. I want to congratulate and thank Ardel for his contributions to our industry.”

A retired farmer, Rice resides in Mohall with his wife, Deanna. They have three sons and eight grandchildren.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 200 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, TV, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovative change in smart rural communities across America. In an era of transformative technological developments, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are advancing efforts to close the digital divide by delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks. Their commitment to building sustainable networks makes rural communities fertile ground for innovation in economic development, e-commerce, health care, agriculture and education, and it contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit www.ntca.org.

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Robin Anderson Joins SRT as Chief Growth Officer

Robin Anderson Joins SRT as Chief Growth Officer

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MINOT, N.D. – Robin Anderson, a marketing and development professional with 22 years of telecommunications experience, has been named Chief Growth Officer of SRT Communications. She joined SRT on January 10, 2022.

As Chief Growth Officer, Anderson will lead the business strategy and develop new opportunities and partnerships for SRT. She will also leverage data tools to identify customer needs and ensure SRT continues to thrive in the cooperative environment.

“Robin joins SRT at an ideal time, especially as we continue to build the fiber optic platform serving our members,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager. “As we look for future growth opportunities, her sales experience will serve our customers well. She is highly respected in the telecommunications industry. A North Dakota native with years of coop leadership experience, Robin understands the cooperative business model and appreciates the communities we serve. SRT is delighted to welcome this talented professional to our team.”

Originally from Binford, ND, Anderson earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Dickinson State University with a concentration in marketing and agriculture. Prior to joining SRT, she spent five years as Sales Manager at NISC (National Information Solutions Cooperative) and 13 years as Marketing Manager at Dakota Central Telecommunications Cooperative. Anderson also worked for four years as Director of Business Development and Senior Marketing Consultant for Pivot Group, a marketing agency specializing in the rural broadband industry.

“I am excited to be joining Cassidy and the talented team at SRT during a time of growth and transformation,” said Anderson. “SRT has a rich history built on trust and innovation. I look forward to being part of this next chapter as we continue to serve our members in delivering the best communication services available.”

Anderson and her husband, Glenn, have three children and have long enjoyed rodeo as a family. Their oldest son, Bridger, is a professional steer wrestler in Oklahoma; Cedar is a senior at Northwest Oklahoma State University; and Dawsyn is a senior at Carrington High School.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 200 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, TV, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

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