Headquartered in the community of Highmore in the heart of South Dakota, Venture Communications Cooperative is committed to providing friendly, first-rate service. Commitment to their members and customers has distinguished them as one of several businesses from across the country that were invited to Washington, D.C., today to share their ideas directly with the Obama Administration on how to strengthen rural communities and promote economic growth. It’s called “Champions of Change”.
Venture Communications Cooperative was selected because of the broadband infrastructure and service expansion improvements they’ve made. Venture Communications can streamline business communications from local and long distance phone services to Internet access.
Recently, Venture Communications Cooperative received support from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act along with outside capital totaling $1.7 million for the Cresbard, Orient and Faulkton, South Dakota exchanges. The funding provided broadband services to households, businesses, and key community organizations that are underserved. This project provided broadband services and created the potential for increased business growth, public safety services and quality of life.
During today’s event the Cooperative was acknowledged by USDA Rural Utilities Administrator Jonathan Adelstein, a native of South Dakota. Adelstein administers USDA’s Broadband efforts.
“Investing in broadband is critical for evolvement of economic opportunities and growth in rural areas,” said South Dakota Rural Development State Director Elsie M. Meeks. “Broadband brings communities into the digital age and allows them the opportunities once only known to urban areas. These funds brought high speed internet to the area which helps businesses, community leaders, education, safety, and public health center expand services.”
