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SPRING GROVE, MN, OCTOBER 11, 2022 – The community of Spring Grove today announced that Spring Grove Communications was recently named a Smart Rural CommunitySM (SRC) provider by NTCA– The Rural Broadband Association. SRC is a national network of communities powered by innovative rural broadband providers that are building a brighter future for small-town America. The program promotes rural broadband and its role in supporting innovative economic development, effective education, efficient energy distribution and use, state-of-the-art health care and other important issues for rural America.
Spring Grove Communications Board President, Dave Morken stated, “As a cooperative, we are committed to not only investing in our facilities but also in the economic development and success of our area. The Smart Rural Community designation is one to be celebrated community wide.”
In order to receive recognition as a SRC provider, Spring Grove Communications was required to affirm that it offers 25/3 Mbps broadband to at least 50% of its service area; that it has broadband subscription rates of at least 50%; and that it is committed to program principles of collaboration and innovation. As a result of Spring Grove Communications national recognition, Spring Grove will now be celebrated as a Smart Rural Community in program materials and online at www.smartruralcommunity.com, joining a national network of similarly innovative communities.
Jana Elton, City of Spring Grove Administrator stated “Spring Grove Communications has taken significant pride in providing its residents with quality high-speed internet access, which allows our community to stay connected educationally, socially, and economically. Their employees’ considerable knowledge, dedication, teamwork, and excellent customer service is what we can attribute this great honor of success to. The community of Spring Grove would like to congratulate Spring Grove Communications for this significant accomplishment and look forward to how they can continue to keep us connected in the future.”
NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield also recognized Spring Grove Communications for this achievement, noting, “We are so excited to welcome another Smart Rural Community provider into this growing network of innovative broadband providers delivering the Internet’s fastest speeds in some of the most remote and rural communities of our country. I applaud Spring Grove Communications and Spring Grove for their commitment to enabling cutting-edge technologies that drive innovation and promote economic development in their region and nationwide.”