Foundation for Rural Service Celebrates Record Number of Grant Awards as Part of 30th Anniversary

Oct 30, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association, is proud to announce the recipients of 36 Community Grants totaling nearly $170,000 - the largest number of grants and greatest total annual allocation in its history - to close out its 30th anniversary year. These grants will support a wide variety of projects aimed at improving quality of life across rural communities served by NTCA members.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, FRS was able to substantially increase support for community-based projects in 2024. Grant recipients will lead initiatives to advance their rural communities such as upgrading essential equipment for schools and libraries to support digital literacy and inclusion efforts, expanding STEM programs like esports and robotics and enhancing emergency services for first responders. NTCA members partnered with FRS in presenting every award, contributing 10% of the total grant amount. Additional gifts from CoBank, Pioneer Utility Resources, Farm Credit East and the Carri Bennet Economic Development Fund also contributed to grant awards this year.

"We are grateful and proud to have achieved a new record in our support for rural communities during this anniversary year," said FRS Executive Director Pam Becker. "The work these organizations do in their communities is nothing short of inspiring, and it's an honor to partner with NTCA members to help make these projects a reality. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of FRS than to award the largest ever number of grants to deserving organizations served by NTCA members. I would like to thank our donors for making this possible."

The FRS Community Grants Program is a cornerstone of the foundation's efforts to enhance the economic, educational and social well-being of rural America. Through this year's 36 awards, the foundation continues to expand its impact on community development, public safety, education and broadband access. A complete list of 2024 awardees is below:

Alexandria Fire District, Alexandria, S.D.
Partnering NTCA Member: TrioTel Communications, Inc.
Awarded $4,950 to provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to community churches and daycares.

Bemidji Fire Department, Bemidji, Minn.
Partnering NTCA Member: Paul Bunyan Communications
Awarded $4,830 to acquire protective gear for SWAT medics to ensure safety while providing critical medical assistance in high-risk situations.

Bunker Hill Public Library, Bunker Hill, Ill.
Partnering NTCA Member: Madison Communications
Awarded $4,200 to purchase an interactive table for the children's section at the Bunker Hill Public Library.

BYE Ambulance, Elmwood, Ill.
Partnering NTCA Member: Mid Century Fiber
Awarded $5,000 to purchase an emergency 9ll dispatch alarm system for Elmwood station, a portable radio, speakers and wiring to aid in receiving ambulance calls.

City of Palmer Public Library, Palmer, Alaska
Partnering NTCA Member: Matanuska Telecom Association, Inc.
Awarded $4,800 to fund four computer stations to promote adult technical literacy, job seeking efforts and senior technology adoption.

City of Robinson, Robinson, Kan.
Partnering NTCA Member: Rainbow Communications
Awarded $5,000 to upgrade and refurbish a local ballpark, providing a safe and welcoming place for residents to gather.

Clemson Rural Health, Clemson, S.C.
Partnering NTCA Member: West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative
Awarded $5,000 for new EKG and AED machines for the Clemson Rural Health Mobile Unit that provides primary care to community members.

Colton Middle School (Colton School District), Colton, Ore.
Partnering NTCA Member: COLTONTEL
Awarded $4,300 to make significant upgrades to the video production studio, which will support career-related opportunities for students at Colton Middle School.

Cordova Chamber of Commerce, Cordova, Alaska
Partnering NTCA Member: Cordova Telecom Cooperative
Made possible by a gift from the Carri Bennet Economic Development Fund
Awarded $5,000 to support a Regenerative Destination Development small business incubator program, including renovating a meeting and convening space for the Cordova Chamber of Commerce to host educational and support sessions for local entrepreneurs and community groups. Additionally, the project will engage local Tribal agencies to develop infrastructure and experiences that provide environmental and cultural benefits to the community while strengthening the existing commercial fishing and mariculture industries.

Cordova School District - Jr. High Robotics, Cordova, Alaska
Partnering NTCA Member: Cordova Telecom Cooperative
Awarded $3,688 to upgrade outdated robotic equipment and support the school's robotics team competitions.

Crawford County 911 Emergency Services, Steelville, Mo.
Partnering NTCA Member: STE Communications
Awarded $3,690 to replace four portable radios, supporting increased reliability, reach and battery life for 911 dispatchers.

DeKalb Middle School - General Music Program, Smithville, Tenn.
Partnering NTCA Member: DTC Communications
Awarded $4,920 to purchase high-quality instructional materials, equipment and instruments for students, enriching the musical culture of DeKalb Middle School.

Dell Valley Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Dell City, Texas
Partnering NTCA Member: Dell Telephone Cooperative
Awarded $5,000 to purchase a Compressed Air Foam System that will ensure the safety and efficiency of the volunteer firefighters as they fight multiple types of fires in remote regions with limited access to additional resources.

Desert Haven Community Coalition, Desert Haven, Texas
Partnering NTCA Member: Dell Telephone Cooperative
Awarded $5,000 to purchase a CONEX box with electricity to allow for the setup of commercial kitchen items to be used for nutrition education, an internet cafe for families to gather and children to do homework and storage of food pantry items.

Exira Public Library, Exira, Iowa
Partnering NTCA Member: Marne & Elk Horn Telephone Company
Awarded $5,000 to replace five public computers and one staff computer.

Ganado Lions Club, Ganado, Texas
Partnering NTCA Member: YK Communications
Awarded $5,000 to purchase a vision screening machine and offer free screenings to all community members, starting at six months of age and up.

Gobles Pine Grove Fire Department, Gobles, Mich.
Partnering NTCA Member: Bloomingdale Communications
Awarded $5,000 to replace mobile radios used for emergency communications.

Grandview Elementary Parent Teacher Organization, Higginsville, Mo.
Partnering NTCA Member: Green Hills Communications
Awarded $4,977 to promote STEM learning opportunities for students at Grandview Elementary School, including computer coding.

Hardin County High School, Elizabethtown, Ill.
Partnering NTCA Member: Shawnee Communications
Awarded $5,000 to support a FarmBot to teach students about robotics, nutrition, soil science, biology, coding and other STEM learning objectives. The project will also result in the growth of local produce to benefit local seniors.

Horton Elementary School, Horton, Kan.
Partnering NTCA Member: Rainbow Communications
Awarded $1,000 for Careers on Wheels, an interactive educational event that brings various professionals and their vehicles to Horton Elementary School, allowing students to learn about different careers in a hands-on environment.

Interstate 35 Elementary School, Truro, Iowa
Partnering NTCA Member: OmniTel Communications
Awarded $5,000 to fund essential equipment to enhance the student-run daily news network (Beep Beep Network) and expand production of broadcast school events, fostering learning in media production.

Laurel Concord Coleridge Middle School, Coleridge, Neb.
Partnering NTCA Member: Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company (NNTC)
Awarded $4,950 to support hands-on training and instruction with different pieces of technology involving graphic design, 3D printing, heat press technology, vinyl cutters and laser engraving. Through this project, students will learn about a number of career opportunities associated with such technology.

Lake Region Public Library, Devils Lake, N.D.
Partnering NTCA Member: North Dakota Telephone Company (NDTC)
Awarded $4,700 to upgrade the available technology in the Community Room to increase accessibility for community members and groups who utilize this space.

Lenora Public Library, Lenora, Kan.
Partnering NTCA Member: Nex-Tech
Awarded $5,000 to replace aging computer systems with modern, efficient technology, ensuring a more reliable and user-friendly experience for community members.

Local Motives, Minot, N.D.
Partnering NTCA Member: SRT Communications
Awarded $5,000 to procure three checker/chessboard picnic tables for Citizens Alley to enhance passive recreation, foster community engagement and enrich the public plaza experience.

Love One Another Now, Cavalier, N.D.
Partnering NTCA Member: Polar Communications
Awarded $5,000 to provide winter clothing, including items like jackets, hats and boots, for students in Pembina County schools.

Macon Police & Fire Departments, Macon, Mo.
Partnering NTCA Member: Chariton Valley Communications
Awarded $4,914 to upgrade telephone system used by the Macon Police and Fire Departments with advanced telecommunications devices for enhancing service capabilities for the citizens of Macon, Mo.

Mid-Minnesota Women's Center dba Relationship Safety Alliance, Brainerd, Minn.
Partnering NTCA Member: Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC)
Awarded $5,000 to purchase and install Owl Labs video conference cameras at the Alex & Brandon Child Safety Center and Louise Seliski Shelter to enhance virtual communication and presentation capabilities, benefiting victim/survivors of domestic violence and child abuse, as well as staff and board members.

Mount Airy Public Library, Mount Airy, N.C.
Partnering NTCA Member: Surry Communications
Awarded $4,400 to purchase drones for the weekly preteen and teen STEAM programs at the library.

Putnam, Marshall, Stark County Probation District, Hennepin, Ill.
Partnering NTCA Member: McNabb Telephone Company
Awarded $5,000 to provide critical technology and equipment to clients, enhance probation and treatment compliance and expand digital inclusion programming.

Robinson Elementary School and the Starksboro Community, Starksboro, Vt.
Partnering NTCA Member: Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom (WCVT)
Made possible by a gift from Farm Credit East
Awarded $4,840 to purchase smartboard technology that will provide Starksboro students and community members with more robust learning tools.

Serve Mercer County, Mercer, Mo.
Partnering NTCA Member: GRM Networks
Awarded $4,854 to purchase storage, tools, supplies and equipment to be used at community events.

Springhouse Community School, Pilot, Va.
Partnering NTCA Member: Citizens Telephone Cooperative
Awarded $4,470 to integrate conventional math and Spanish learning software in a mixed-level, experiential and holistic learning environment serving low-income rural students.

Upper Cumberland Local Workforce Board, Cookeville, Tenn.
Partnering NTCA Member: Twin Lakes
Awarded $5,000 to acquire modern, reliable computer equipment for the Upper Cumberland Local Workforce Development Board staff, essential for operational efficiency.

Wamego Public Library, Wamego, Kan.
Partnering NTCA Member: WTC Fiber
Awarded $5,000 to educate students and adults about robot programming at the library.

Youth Villages Middle Tennessee, Cookeville, Tenn.
Partnering NTCA Member: Twin Lakes
Awarded $5,000 to provide laptops for at-risk youth in the LifeSet Scholars program. These students are from rural areas and need assistance purchasing necessary academic supplies.