December 6, 2018
Dell Rapids and Golden West Receive National Recognition as Smart Rural CommunitySM
Wall, SD – The City of Dell Rapids and Golden West Telecommunications recently received a Smart Rural CommunitySM designation from NTCA, the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association. Greg Oleson, Director of Member Services for Golden West Telecommunications, presented the showcase award to the community at the Dell Rapids City Council Meeting on November 19.
The NTCA Smart Rural CommunitySM designation recognizes and celebrates the efforts of rural telecommunications providers and their communities to deliver technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business.
Golden West applied for the award using Dell Rapids as the centrepiece of the application. “The Dell Rapids community does a great job leveraging Golden West’s broadband Internet services to encourage greater interconnection of its community’s resources and enable citizen and business participation in the global economy,” stated Oleson.
When awarding the designation, NTCA cited Golden West’s advanced communications services and Dell Rapids leaders in business and government as keys to its success. “The Golden West/Dell Rapids partnership is a prime example of the power of a broadband connection and a steadfast commitment to growth and prosperity,” said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield. “Not only are the people of Dell Rapids charting their own path to a more prosperous future, they are also creating a road map for many more rural communities across the country to follow suit. I commend the people of Dell Rapids and Golden West for these extraordinary efforts.”
During his presentation, Oleson specifically thanked Kari Karst, President of BX Civil & Construction, Dan Ahlers, President of the Dell Rapids Chamber, Jenn Reecy with N2Growth and Justin Weiland, Dell Rapids City Administrator, for providing examples of how broadband Internet is contributing to the success of Dell Rapids.
“It takes great leaders to create a smart rural community and to encourage its continued development and evolution,” said Oleson. “We look forward to building on our shared success for many years to come.”
About Golden West Telecommunications
Since 1916, Golden West has been providing telecommunications services across the state of South Dakota. A member-owned cooperative, Golden West provides business and residential customers with advanced broadband Internet, phone and cable TV solutions. We strive to exceed the expectations of our members so they can live, work and play in the place they choose to call home. Golden West is proud to be an equal opportunity provider and employer. Learn more at www.goldenwest.com.
About NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association
NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development, publications and industry events, and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of transformative technological advancements, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are leading the technological evolution for rural consumers. They are delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development, e-commerce, health care, agriculture and education, and rural America contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit us at www.ntca.org.