Pelican Rapids Receives National Recognition as a Smart Rural Community
Pelican Rapids has been honored with the Smart Rural Communities Showcase award by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, which cited Arvig’s advanced communications services and collaboration with local leaders as keys to its success.
At a gathering of about 1,400 leaders of rural telecommunications providers hosted by NTCA, Arvig was presented with the award, on behalf of the city of Pelican Rapids, for deploying advanced technologies and leveraging them to enable innovation in economic development and commerce, education, advanced health care, government services, security and energy production.
In addition to Arvig,10 other providers and their nominated communities in Georgia, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Indiana and North Carolina were recognized.
“Pelican Rapids is incredibly deserving to be named a Smart Rural Community and we are proud to serve the area,” said David Arvig, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Arvig. “We have worked hard with the local leadership, businesses and residents to ensure that everyone has access to advanced communications and the many benefits those services enable. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the community and building on this success for many years to come.”
This is Arvig’s fourth time accepting NTCA’s Smart Rural Communities Showcase award. In 2015, Arvig accepted the same award on behalf of the city of Perham, Minn., on behalf of Melrose, Minn. in 2016, and on behalf of Walker, Minn. in 2017.
“Arvig 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 Arvig charting their own path to a more prosperous future, they are also creating a road map for many more communities across the country to follow suit. I commend the people of Arvig for these extraordinary efforts.”
The NTCA Smart Rural Communities initiative 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. The goal of the initiative is to foster the development of Smart Rural Communities throughout rural America by recognizing trailblazers and providing resources to assist broadband providers and connected industries.
This summer, Arvig partnered with a number of organizations in the community to tell the Pelican Rapids story. Several area residents assisted with the nomination application and some participated in a supplementary video. You can view the video here.
For help with the nomination, Arvig extends its gratitude to (in alphabetical order):
+ Tyler Ahlf, Pelican Valley Senior Living
+ Mark Dokken, Larry’s Super Market
+ Mike Forsgren, Forsgren’s Pheasant Farm
+ Mayor Brent Frazier
+ Greg Olson, Lake Region Electric Cooperative
+ Ernie Pyle, West Central Turkeys
+ Don Solga, City of Pelican Rapids
+ Nicki Stetz, Pelican Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
+ Steve Strand, Assembly Engineering
+ Tim Thompson, Lake Region Electric Cooperative
+ Paula Waller, Homeowner’s Financial Group
+ Chris Westby, Westby Farms
+ Phletus Williams, Glacial Minnesota Woman Organization
About Arvig
Headquartered in Perham, Minnesota, Arvig is a local, employee-owned broadband and full-service telecommunications provider. Committed to delivering cutting-edge technology to customers throughout the region, Arvig provides residential internet, television and telephone services. Additionally, Arvig provides a wide variety of business technology solutions. Visit arvig.com for additional information.
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, 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 it contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit www.ntca.org for more information.