Congratulations to our 2024 Grant Recipients!

These incredible communities each reflect the vision, service and innovation at the heart of rural America. Their winning projects help rural communities across the United States overcome an array of challenges, including access to technology, improving educational offerings, and providing telemedicine and first-responder services to rural areas.

Congratulations to the awardees and thank you to the generous partnering NTCA members who made these investments possible.

Alexandria Fire District (Alexandria, SD)

Awarded $4,950 to provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to community churches and daycares. Partnered with TrioTel Communications, Inc.

Bemidji Fire Department (Bemidji, MN)

Awarded $4,830 to acquire protective gear for SWAT-medics to ensure safety while providing critical medical assistance in high-risk situations. Partnered with Paul Bunyan Communications.

Bunker Hill Public Library (Bunker Hill, IL)

Awarded $4,200 to purchase an interactive table for the children's section at the Bunker Hill Public Library. Partnered with Madison Communications.

BYE Ambulance (Elmwood, IL)

Awarded $5,000 to purchase an emergency 911 dispatch alarm system for the Elmwood Station, a portable radio with an antenna amplifier, speakers and wiring to aid in receiving ambulance calls inside the metal ambulance facility. Partnered with Mid Century Fiber.

City of Palmer Public Library (Palmer, AK)

Awarded $4,800 to fund four computer stations to promote adult technical literacy, job seeking efforts and senior technology adoption. Partnered with Matanuska Telecom Association, Inc.

City of Robinson (Robinson, KS)

Awarded $5,000 to upgrade and refurbish a local ballpark, providing a safe and welcoming place for residents to gather. Partnered with Rainbow Communications.

Clemson Rural Health (Clemson, SC)

Awarded $5,000 for new EKG and AED machines for the Clemson Rural Health Mobile Unit that provides primary care to community members. Partnered with West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative.

Colton Middle School (Colton School District) (Colton, OR)

Awarded $4,300 to make significant upgrades to the video production studio, which will support meaningful career-related opportunities for students at Colton Middle School. Partnered with COLTONTEL.

Cordova Chamber of Commerce (Cordova, AK)

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 with 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. Partnered with Cordova Telecom Cooperative. This grant was also made possible by a generous gift from the Carri Bennet Economic Development Fund.

Cordova School District - Jr. High Robotics (Cordova, AK)

Awarded $3,688 to upgrade outdated robotic equipment and support the school's robotics team competitions. Partnered with Cordova Telecom Cooperative.

Crawford County 911 Emergency Services (Steelville, MO)

Awarded $3,690 to replace four portable radios, supporting increased reliability, reach and battery life for 911 dispatchers. Partnered with STE Communications.

DeKalb Middle School - General Music Program (Smithville, TN)

Awarded $4,920 to purchase high-quality instructional materials, equipment and instruments for students, enriching the musical culture of DeKalb Middle School. Partnered with DTC Communications.

Dell Valley Volunteer Fire & Rescue (Dell City, TX)

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. Partnered with Dell Telephone Cooperative.

Desert Haven Community Coalition (Desert Haven, TX)

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. Partnered with Dell Telephone Cooperative.

Exira Public Library (Exira, IA)

Awarded $5,000 to replace five public computers and one staff computer. Partnered with Marne & Elk Horn Telephone Company.

Ganado Lions Club (Ganado, TX)

Awarded $5,000 to purchase the PlusOptix vision screening machine and offer free vision screenings to all community members, starting at six months of age and up. Partnered with YK Communications.

Gobles Pine Grove Fire Department (Gobles, MI)

Awarded $5,000 to replace mobile radios used for emergency communications. Partnered with Bloomingdale Communications.

Grandview Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (Higginsville, MO)

Awarded $4,977 to promote STEM learning opportunities for students at Grandview Elementary School, including computer coding. Partnered with Green Hills Communications.

Hardin County High School (Elizabethtown, IL)

Awarded $5,000 to support a FarmBot to teach agricultural and non-agricultural 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. FarmBot is an open-source precision agriculture CNC farming solution that consists of a Cartesian coordinate robot farming machine, software and documentation, including a farming data repository. Partnered with Shawnee Communications.

Horton Elementary School (Horton, KS)

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. Partnered with Rainbow Communications.

Interstate 35 Elementary School (Truro, IA)

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. Partnered with OmniTel Communications.

Laurel Concord Coleridge Middle School (Coleridge, NE)

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. Partnered with Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company (NNTC).

Lake Region Public Library (Devils Lake, ND)

Awarded $4,700 to upgrade the available technology in the Community Room to increase accessibility for community members and groups who utilize this space. Partnered with North Dakota Telephone Company (NDTC).

Lenora Public Library (Lenora, KS)

Awarded $5,000 to replace aging computer systems with modern, efficient technology, ensuring a more reliable and user-friendly experience for community members. Partnered with Nex-Tech.

Local Motives (Minot, ND)

Awarded $5,000 to procure three checker/chess-board picnic tables for Citizens Alley to enhance passive recreation, foster community engagement and enrich the public plaza experience. Partnered with SRT Communications.

Love One Another Now (L.O.A.N.) (Cavalier, ND)

Awarded $5,000 to provide winter clothing, including items like jackets, hats and boots, for students in Pembina County schools. Partnered with Polar Communications

Macon Police & Fire Department (Macon, MO)

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

Mid-Minnesota Women's Center dba Relationship Safety Alliance (Brainerd, MN)

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. Partnered with Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC).

Mount Airy Public Library (Mount Airy, NC)

Awarded $4,400 to purchase drones for the weekly preteen and teen STEAM programs at the library. Partnered with Surry Communications.

Putnam, Marshall, Stark County Probation District (Hennepin, IL)

Awarded $5,000 to provide critical technology and equipment to clients, enhance probation and treatment compliance and expand digital inclusion programming. Partnered with McNabb Telephone Company.

Robinson Elementary School and the Starksboro Community (Starksboro, VT)

Awarded $4,840 to purchase smartboard technology that will provide Starksboro students and community members with more robust learning tools. Partnered with Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom (WCVT). This grant is also made possible by a gift from Farm Credit East.

Serve Mercer County (Mercer, MO)

Awarded $4,854 to purchase storage, tools, supplies and equipment to be used at community events. Partnered with GRM Networks.

Springhouse Community School (Pilot, VA)

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. Partnered with Citizens Telephone Cooperative.

Upper Cumberland Local Workforce Board (Cookeville, TN)

Awarded $5,000 to acquire modern, reliable computer equipment for the Upper Cumberland Local Workforce Development Board staff, essential for operational efficiency. Partnered with Twin Lakes.

Wamego Public Library (Lenora, KS)

Awarded $5,000 to educate students and adults about robot programming at the library. Partnered with WTC Fiber.

Youth Villages Middle Tennessee (Cookeville, TN)

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. Partnered with Twin Lakes.

Our 2023 Grant Recipients!

Napoleon Rural Fire Protection District (Steele, ND)

Awarded $4,900 to purchase infrared cameras for the Napoleon Rural Fire Protection District to increase response capabilities during a structural fire incident. Partnered with BEK Communications Cooperative.

Alpine Volunteer Fire Department (Alpine, TX)

Awarded $4,100 to purchase an attack line hose and a large diameter hose washer to improve safety services to citizens in the rural communities of Alpine, Brewster County, and the surrounding areas. Partnered with Big Bend Telephone Company.

Hannibal Fire Department (Macon, MO)

Awarded $1,265 to purchase three iPads to conduct business inspections, preplans, and respond to emergency incidents. Partnered with Chariton Valley Broadband, LLC.

Prince William Sound Science Center (Cordova, AK)

Awarded $5,000 to install meeting room technology that will enable virtual connection and presentation capability at the Prince William Sound Science Center benefiting organizations in the Prince William Sound Region. Partnered with Cordova Wireless Communications, Inc. This grant is also made possible by the generosity of a gift from the Carri Bennet Economic Development Fund.

Justin Potter Library (Alexandria, TN)

Awarded $5,000 to provide new AWE computers to preschool aged children to help build an early educational advantage in a fun and colorful way. Partnered with DTC Communications.

Leon Community Playground Committee (Leon Chamber of Commerce) (Princeton, MO)

Awarded $5,000 to build a playground that will allow children to play safely while allowing children with disabilities the opportunity to play side-by-side with their peers, and provide a safe outdoor play space, with designated play areas for children ages 2-5 and 5-12. Partnered with GRM Networks.

Elgin Community Library (Lawton, OK)

Awarded $2,000 to provide a book for every first grader in Elgin, Fletcher and Sterling. Partnered with Hilliary Communications, LLC.

Wasilla High School (Palmer, AK)

Awarded $5,000 to launch a hands-on CNC tech skilling module to prepare students for successful careers and develop skills to enter the work force. Partnered with Matanuska Telecom Association, Inc.

B.Y.E. Ambulance Service Inc. (Fairview, IL)

Awarded $5,000 to purchase laptops to use in ambulances to increase operational efficiency and enhance patient care and communications. Partnered with Mid Century Telephone Cooperative.

Platte-Geddes School District #11-5 (Reliance, SD)

Awarded $5,000 to facilitate the Platte-Geddes School District's participation in the South Dakota High School Activities Association's E-sports pilot program to increase student engagement, school attendance, and academic achievement while exposing students to future careers and potential scholarship opportunities. Partnered with Midstate Communications, Inc.

Colton Rural Fire District (Colton, OR)

Awarded $4,977 to purchase two-way communication radios to improve firefighter safety and communication in Oregon and California when called upon to help during disasters. Partnered with COLTONTEL.

Woodford County Court Services (Metamora, IL)

Awarded $5,000 to create a computer lab area for use by probation clients for employment searches and telehealth treatment appointments, and the purchase of a "smart board" to allow probation officers to more effectively conduct programs and clients can successfully complete required classes. Partnered with MTCO Communications.

Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth, Inc. (Lenora, KS)

Awarded $5,000 to purchase technology equipment to support a financial literacy curriculum for 4th-8th grades and high school juniors and seniors. Partnered with Nex-Tech.

PHRED Robotics Team (Philomath High School) (Philomath, OR)

Awarded $4,980 to expand elementary and middle school student interest and participation in Philomath School District robotics programs through short and long term community outreach events organized by student members of the high school robotics team. Partnered with Pioneer Telephone Cooperative.

Walkerton Community Fire Association, Inc. (Walkerton, VA)

Awarded $5,000 to help purchase a Rescue Boat and Response Truck to provide assistance to stranded boaters and water-related emergencies in two counties bordering the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers. Partnered with RiverStreet Communications of Virginia.

Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce (Waitsfield, VT)

Awarded $5,000 to improve and enhance the region's recreation facilities with restroom and bicycle work stand functions. Partnered with Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. This grant is also made possible by a generous gift from Farm Credit East.

Minot Regional Impact Center, Inc. (Minot, ND)

Awarded $5,000 to develop and launch an online app to identify uneaten prepared food that can be collected and distribute through a network of programs that feed the hungry. Partnered with SRT Communications, Inc.

Churchland Volunteer Fire Department (Dobson, NC)

Awarded $5,000 to purchase a thermal imaging camera for structure fires and in searches for missing people. Partnered with Surry Telephone Membership Corporation.

Stephenville Lions Club (De Leon, TX)

Awarded $5,000 to purchase a vision screener to use when assessing all elementary and pre-school children in the area. Partnered with Totelcom Communications, LLC.

Cookeville Regional Medical Center (Gainesboro, TN)

Awarded $5,000 to purchase Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) speech tablets for non-verbal children and adults with autism, or patients of strokes, cancer, or throat surgery so they can communicate with caregivers and loved ones. Partnered with Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation.

Glasco City Library (Miltonvale, KS)

Awarded $4,239 to purchase computers, workstations, software, charging stations and power strip towers to upgrade the library's technology area. Partnered with Twin Valley Communications.

Graham County Chamber of Commerce (Willcox, AZ)

Awarded $4,450 to enhance the Gila Valley Community Room technological capacities to support diverse community functions in the facility. Partnered with Valley Telephone Cooperative, Inc.

Discovery to Recovery Outpatient Substance Abuse Program (Louisville, IL)

Awarded $5,000 to provide new equipment to program participants, expand digital inclusion programming and enhance probation and treatment compliance by expanding telehealth alternatives. Partnered with Wabash Communications CO-OP.

Our 2022 Grant Recipients!

Allardt Elementary School (Allardt, TN)

Awarded $5,000 to create and construct a greenhouse where students will plant, harvest and show the items grown in the greenhouse. Partnered with Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation.

Blue Rapids Playground (Blue Rapids, KS)

Awarded $5,000 to create a park playground that is safe and inclusive to all visitors and create an environment to encourage families to visit. Partnered with Blue Valley Tele-Communications.

Clearwater Chamber of Commerce (Clearwater, NE)

Awarded $5,000 to build a small, private room in the Clearwater Public Library to be used for tele-health, mental health counseling and video calls for individuals and families to connect that do not have access to technology or broadband services. Partnered with Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company. Grant award made possible by the Virtual Living Room program, sponsored by CoBank.

Four Star Public Library District (Mendon, IL)

Awarded $5,000 to purchase a ViewSonic Interactive Whiteboard Computer, installed in a new meeting/program room for the purpose of presenting library programs, trainings, and community organizations' meetings on a proven technological platform to engage participants and increase attendance at the library. Partnered with Adams Telephone Co-Operative.

Doniphan County Rural Fire District #2 (Highland, KS)

Awarded $4,762 to outfit at least four firetrucks utilized by the volunteer fire department with an iPad configured to assist with emergency calls and general operations. Partnered with Rainbow Communications, LLC.

Friends of Community Memorial Building Foundation (Lake City, IA)

Awarded $5,000 to create a digital archive to honor local veterans, within the recently renovated Veterans Memorial Building. Partnered with Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association.

Dobson Rescue Squad (Dobson, NC)

Awarded $4,762 to purchase new communications equipment to better serve the community as the only medical/rescue unit in the area. Partnered with Surry Telephone Membership Corporation.

Flint & Steel Coalition (Mineola, TX)

Awarded $5,000 to create an audio production studio for Artistic Recreational Therapy (ART) House and purchase necessary equipment. Partnered with Peoples Telephone Cooperative.

Greater Fergus Falls (Fergus Falls, MN)

Awarded $5,000 to provide smart room technology services for coworking spaces that will make trainings, workshops, and meetings functional and effective. Partnered with Park Region Mutual Telephone Company.

Hankinson Public Library (Hankinson, ND)

Awarded $4,100 to purchase new computers for the library that are used by patrons to apply for jobs, take tests for re-certification, and are used for the xSTREAM team, a STEM group. Partnered with Red River Rural Telephone Assn.

Hazen Public Library (Hazen, ND)

Awarded $1,475 to purchase new hard drives for outdated computer that are available for public use. Partnered with West River Telecommunications Cooperative.

Jackson County Development Association (McKee, KY)

Awarded $5,000 to revamp a public park with outdated equipment and to create a vibrant space with amenities for people of all ages and inclusivity. Partnered with Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative.

Kids Cove (Sterling, KS)

Awarded $5,000 to purchase a Robot Academy robotics package, providing students with opportunities to learn computer codes and programs, build and use robots, work as a team, follow complex directions, solve problems, be creative, become more detail oriented, and engage in bringing STEAM projects into their families, the school and the community at large. Partnered with Mutual Telephone Co.

Livingston Middle School (Livingston, TN)

Awarded $5,000 to the school science department to purchase new and updated equipment for the science lab, including new digital microscopes, beakers, thermometers, metersticks, and other supplies needed to successfully participate in hands on labs and engagement within the science classroom and lab. Partnered with Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation.

Mad River Valley Recreation District (Waitsfield, VT)

Awarded $5,000 to install an irrigation system to minimize the maintenance expenses of reseeding and fertilizer required after increasingly frequent instances of summer heat and drought at the Mad River Valley Recreation District recreational fields used by youth recreation leagues and community members. Partnered with Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. Grant award made possible by a generous gift from Farm Credit East.

Spring Grove Area Chamber of Commerce (Spring Grove, MN)

Awarded $5,000 to create a space for businesses and entrepreneurs to have access to presentation, promotional and other business materials, technology, and resources to help area entrepreneurs successfully grow and enhance their businesses. Partnered with Spring Grove Communications. Grant award made possible by the Carri Bennet Economic Development Fund.

Macon County Schools (Lafayette, TN)

Awarded $5,000 to create a program in Unmanned Aircraft that would give students the foundational knowledge to pursue an industry recognized certification, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Remote Pilot Certificate. Partnered with North Central Telephone Cooperative, Inc.

Marshall County Arts Cooperative (Marysville, KS)

Awarded $5,000 to provide arts education to students in Marshall County through a weeklong, interactive summer camp to enrich the lives of elementary-aged students through the Choose Arts program. Partnered with Blue Valley Tele-Communications, Inc.

Monroe Volunteer Fire Department (Monroe, SD)

Awarded $5,000 to equip the community for landing a medical evacuation chopper, to have proper equipment for grain rescue, and provide education and training on both. Partnered with TM Rural Water District.

Moulton First Responders & Volunteers Ambulance Services (Moulton, IA)

Awarded $5,000 to purchase a new Physio Control LifePak 15 monitor/defibrillator for service that provides vital sign monitoring, lifesaving cardiac analysis and AED capabilities for patients in cardiac arrest. Partnered with Farmers Mutual Cooperative Company.

Ray High School (Ray, ND)

Awarded $1,900 to begin a program that will allow students to gain the credentials needed to become an EMT. Partnered with Northwest Communications Cooperative.

Stanton Community Schools (Stanton, IA)

Awarded $5,000 to purchase Smart Boards and Clear Touch Panels to enhance education in classrooms. Partnered with Farmers Mutual Telephone Company.

USD #112 Central Plains (Holyrood, KS)

Awarded $5,000 to bring STEM activities to life with expert live science experiences, through demonstrations and engaging activities, and the stories and lessons taught through space exploration. Partnered with H&B Communications, Inc.

USD 419 (Galva, KS)

Awarded $5,000 to purchase Boogie Boards and table top charging stations for enhanced classroom learning and activities. Partnered with Home Telephone Company dba Home Communications, Inc.

Valley Lake Boy's Home (Breckenridge, MN)

Awarded $1,322 to purchase two iPads for the residents to use with video conferencing platforms used by various entities for the care and treatment of the boys who reside at the home. Partnered with Red River Rural Telephone Assn.

Warren Branch Library (Warren, AR)

Awarded $5,000 to create a program for children by using AWE Early Literacy computers with interactive content and reliable technology to increase early literacy skills. Partnered with South Arkansas Telephone Company Inc.

The Friends of North Fork Library (North Fork, CA)

Awarded $3,694 to purchase two computers to help library visitors as the only public computers and internet in the community. Partnered with Ponderosa Telephone.

Santa Anna Independent School District (Santa Anna, TX)

Awarded $5,000 to host four literacy events for all PK-12 students, where students will get to choose up to 12 books for their personal "home libraries" over the course of the school year. Partnered with Coleman County Telephone Cooperative, Inc.

Saunders County Robotics (Wahoo, NE)

Awarded $5,000 to purchase storage solutions, tools, and equipment for local K-12th grade STEM robotics students. Partnered with Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company.

McPherson Fire Department (McPherson, KS)

Awarded $5,000 to purchase two radio communication devices. Partnered with Mutual Telephone Co.

Our 2021 Grant Recipients!

Amador Fire Safe Council (Pine Grove, CA) Awarded $5000 to improve the Fire Safe Council’s in-person and virtual outreach capabilities to keep the community informed about current projects and encourage community members to do their part for fire preparedness. Supported by Volcano Telephone Company.	American Legion Post 18 (Celina, TN) Awarded $3765 to purchase technology to assist veterans and their families while applying for federal and state veteran benefit programs. Supported by Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation.
Barnesville Fire Department (Barnesville, MN) Awarded $1795 to purchase a critical multi-tool for each member of the fire department to enhance firefighter safety and effectiveness. Supported by Red River Rural Telephone Assn.	City of Columbus - Fire Department (Columbus, KS) Awarded $5000 to purchase two Toughbook laptop units to increase operational efficiency and enhance safety for firefighters and the public. Supported by Columbus Telephone Co.
Country Living Learning Center (Hugo, CO) Awarded $3100 to update technology use throughout the center, add a STEM center in the preschool room, and supply teachers with classroom IPADS to better educate pre-school students and communicate with guardians. Supported by Eastern Slope Rural Telephone Association.	Cowley College (Wellington, KS) Awarded $5000 to purchase products for the Robotics Challenge that are then shared with local middle schoolers and provides students the opportunity to learn to write computer programs, code, be creative, learn to work as a team, follow complex directions, be detail oriented, make better decisions, and solve problems. Supported by KanOkla Networks.
East 52 Volunteer Fire Department (Celina, TN) Awarded $4823 to purchase six thermal imaging cameras, gear keepers, and a charging dock to replace out of date equipment. Supported by Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation.	Elk Horn Public Library (Elk Horn, IA) Awarded $3468 to upgrade the 10 year old learning station and expand the learning station use to all school-aged library visitors. Supported by Marne & Elk Horn Telephone Co.
Fall Creek Falls State Park (Spencer, TN) Awarded $5000 to equip three park ranger patrol vehicles with dual antennae in-car radar systems. Supported by Bledsoe Telephone Cooperative.	Friends of the Wamego Public Library (Wamego, KS) Awarded $5000 to purchase two Early Literacy All-In-One tablet stations with STREAM programming for the children’s library. Supported by Wamego Telephone Company, Inc.
Lucas Arts & Humanities Council, Inc. aka Grassroots Art Center (Lucas, KS) Awarded $4517 to upgrade computers, network infrastructure and WIFI connectivity within three turn-of-the-century, 1890 buildings of native post rock limestone stone. Supported by Wilson Communications.	Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce (Waitsfield, VT) Awarded $3500 to purchase flags and banners to line Route 100 with American flags as well as a “Welcome to the Mad River Valley” flag to foster community involvement, encourage tourism, and show that the Valley is a special place to live, work and visit. Supported by Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom.
Malmo Planning and Zoning Commission (Malmo, NE) Awarded $5000 to add a Double Bay Single Post Swing and an Expression Swing to engage children and families to play outdoors without having to be concerned with outdated equipment. Supported by Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company.	North Liberty Library (North Liberty, IA) Awarded $5000 to purchase computer equipment and Wi-Fi hot spots to train the older adult/50+ community in North Liberty to become more proficient in using technology to enhance connections with friends, family, and care providers, and to access community resources. Supported by South Slope Cooperative Communications.
Osmond Elementary (Afton, WY) Awarded $5000 to create an educational experience for students to take coding from the computer into the physical world via robots and be able to interact with and manipulate the robots with code. Supported by Silver Star.	Santa Anna ISD (SAISD) (Santa Anna, TX) Awarded $5000 to host four literacy events for all PK -12th students who will choose up to 12 books for their personal "home libraries" over the course of the school year. Supported by Coleman County Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce (Smithville, TN) Awarded $5000 to purchase technology for meeting rooms and training areas in the Dekalb County Agriculture Building so that local organizations can hold meetings, training, and instructional classes to help meet the needs of the community. Supported by DTC Communications.	Southeast Region Career & Technology Center / Richland 44 Agricultural Education (Colfax, ND) Awarded $4960 to purchase Vernier lab equipment, including data collection interfaces, probes, and environmental science research equipment to teach and demonstrate Ag Science careers and skills. Supported by Red River Rural Telephone Assn.
Thrive Allen County (Iola, KS) Awarded $4933 to purchase shared technology for all the libraries in Allen County to improve the accessibility, impact, and quality of community programming and engagement activities. Supported by La Harpe Telephone Co.	Walterboro Wildlife Center - City of Walterboro Tourism Department (Walterboro, SC) Awarded $5000 to purchase, network, and program 2 digital touchscreen kiosks to launch an interactive education platform in the Walterboro Wildlife Center to provide a richer educational experience for youth. Supported by Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative

Our 2020 Grant Recipients!

Bacon County Senior Center (Alma, GA) Award $3,500 to purchase equipment and train the elder community of Bacon County to become more proficient using technology. Sponsored by ATCBroadband.	Baxter Fire Department (Baxter, TN) Award $5,000 to purchase a thermal camera to assist firefighters in many different ways, including scene size up, fire attack, search and rescue, ventilation, overhaul, and hazardous material incidents. Sponsored by Twin Lakes.
Central CUSD#3 (Camp Point, IL) Award $5,000 to create a MakerSpace Lab that will enable students to acquire the 21st century skills through in hands-on experience with new technologies, design and build things in a collaborative environment, and acquire the skills necessary to prepare them for STE(A)M related higher education and careers. Sponsored by Adams Telephone Co-Operative.	City of Canton (Canton, KS) Award $5,000 to update the community park, resulting in more community physical activity and interaction. Sponsored by Home Telephone Company, Inc.
Grantsburg Public Library (Grantsburg, WI) Award $5,000 to purchase a soundproof booth to provide patrons a quiet space to research homework assignments, participate in live video calls and visit with telehealth professionals. Sponsored by Farmers Independent Telephone Company.	Guymon Fire Department (Guymon, OK) Award $5,000 to offer school children, a majority of whom have language barriers, a fire safety education course through hands-on training in a smart-home smoke trailer. Sponsored by Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
Hays Area Children’s Center (Hays, KS) Award $2,144 to update existing hearing equipment and purchase new hearing equipment for our Rush County community screenings for children from birth to age five who receive early intervention services. Sponsored by Golden Belt Telephone Assn Inc.	Jackson County Middle School (Gainesboro, TN) Award $4,900 to provide IPads and Apple pens to math teachers to allow better instruction for virtual students as well as a 360-degree camera to provide access to virtual field trips. Sponsored by Twin Lakes.
John de la Howe School for Agriculture (McCormick, SC) Award $5,000 to purchase a Promethean ActivPanel Board and Surface Tablet Go for use in the Education Center at John de la Howe which provides agriculturally-centered K-9 field trips, summer camps, and adult education opportunities for any resident of South Carolina and surrounding states. Sponsored by West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative, Inc.	Martin Public Library Foundation (Martin, TN) Award $5,000 to equip a new STEM education center so that all students have access to 21st Century technology to prepare themselves for life in a global market and others who want to have opportunities for advanced educational opportunities. Sponsored by West Kentucky and Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative.
North Fayette Valley Community Coalition, Inc. (Elgin, IA) Award $4,990 to purchase an iPad, heavy duty case with stand, bean bag cushion, fidget toys and storage tote for each of the NFV School District’s five buildings to facilitate and encourage mental health telehealth services with Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health. Sponsored by Alpine Communications.	Northeast Nodaway R-V Elementary (Ravenwood, MO) Award $5,000 to purchase Chromebooks to utilize during remote instruction as well as traditional in-person instruction. Sponsored by GRM Networks.
Northeast Nodaway R-V High School (Ravenwood, MO) Award $5,000 to purchase Wi-Fi hotspots, curriculum and delivery platform to utilize during remote instruction. Sponsored by GRM Networks.	Perry Lutheran Homes (Perry, IA) Award $5,000 to help purchase 90 iPad minis so that every capable person confined to their rooms in care centers and some to their own homes will improve their emotional and mental health by restoring on-demand, frequent and unassisted connection to their loved ones. Sponsored by Minburn Telephone Company d/b/a Minburn Communications.
Phillips County Family Education Services, Inc. (Holyoke, CO) Award $5,000 to purchase laptops to provide online English instruction and academic programs to our ESL, GED and school age students. Sponsored by Phillips County Telephone Company.	Rye Elementary School (Rye, CO) Award $5,000 to purchase Promethean Boards (interactive white board type display technology) for classrooms. Sponsored by Rye Telephone Company.
Seeley Lake Community Foundation (Seeley Lake, MT) Award $5,000 to provide secure high-speed internet and reliable wireless network connectivity to create a new community tech hub. Sponsored by Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative, Inc.	Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso (El Paso, TX) Award $5,000 to the Department of Neurology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso to purchase telehealth equipment to provide neurological services in the rural communities of Public Health Region 10 in West Texas. Sponsored by Big Bend Telephone (BBT).
USD 405 LYONS HIGH SCHOOL (Lyons, KS) Award $1,292 to buy educational programs and equipment for the STEM electronics lab. Sponsored by Mutual Telephone Company.	USD 417 (Council Grove, KS) Award $5,000 grant to purchase a Smart Board for the elementary school, to aid in the instruction of students, increasing efficiencies, promoting student’s technology skills, improving collaborative learning skills, and expanding educational opportunities. Sponsored by Tri-County Telephone Association, Inc.
Valley View ISD (Valley View, TX) Award $3,146 to equip a local, small, economically disadvantaged school district with 69 microphone-enabled web cameras to assist all classrooms with the new hybrid platform of in-person and remote education. Sponsored by Nortex Communications.	Van Buren County High School Media Club (Spencer, TN) Award $5,000 for expansion of the media program, including new equipment to expand filming and local station broadcasting of more high, middle and elementary school events. Sponsored by Ben Lomand Connect.
WAHKIAKUM FIRE DISTRICT # 3 (Rosburg, WA) Award $4,979 to purchase three Infrared Wi-Fi enabled cameras to be used for technologically advanced fire detection and search and rescue emergencies. Sponsored by Western Wahkiakum County Telephone Co.

Our 2019 Grant Recipients!

Alexandria Senior Center (Alexandria, TN) Award $4,000 to offer beginner technology classes and allow members the experience and guidance needed to gain information and access to various programs and services available online. The addition of technological equipment will afford a broad range of operating system experience, as well as multiple users to access the internet at the Center. Sponsored by DTC Communications.	Butte County Airport Commission (Arco, ID) Award $4,000 to purchase and install an autonomous weather station at the Arco Airport. This simple yet powerful tool will enable pilots to receive vital information such as wind direction, wind speed, visibility, barometric pressure and even runway conditions (such as ice or snow) when requesting to land their aircraft. Additionally, an automated weather station can become a public resource for the community as it shares weather information online. Sponsored by Albion Telephone Company, Inc.
Cannon County High School (Woodbury TN) Award $2,738.70 To integrate Texas Instruments (TI) technology into lessons to conduct experiments and engage more students in STEM. Plan to use TI to teach basic coding skills which incorporates mathematics. Sponsored by DTC Communications.	Canton Township Carnegie Library (Canton, KS) Award $ 5,000.00 to update the almost 100-year old public library meeting space with AV and modern technology including large flat-panel screen video reception and presentation capabilities for all media sources for community groups. Sponsored by Home Telephone Company.
City of Larned EMS (Larned, KS) Award $4,823 to purchase a video laryngoscope for the city's EMS professionals, providing improved emergency services and enhancing the quality of life in their rural area. Sponsored by Golden Belt Telephone Association, Inc.	Clay County ThreeStar Program (Celina, TN) Award $5,000 to help fund telephone and internet service that will be used for training of under-employed and unemployed citizens that will give them the skills to obtain a job in the call center industry as part of the Threestar Program. Sponsored by Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation
Clayton Public Library District (Clayton, IL) Award $5,000 to create and implement a "Read with Me" program, and purchase of computers, printers and tablets. Program will be for K-3rd grade students who need additional assistance. Sponsored by Adams Telephone Co-Operative.	Colton Rural Fire Protection District #70 (Colton, OR) Award $4,908.40 to provide secure network infrastructure and reliable wireless network connectivity to the indoor and outdoor training areas, administrative area, living quarters, and public meeting area of the volunteer fire station. Sponsored by COLTONTEL.
Decatur County Development Corporation (Leon, IA) Award $4,960.98 to create an online infrastructure to help employers and residents connect to find quality jobs, internships, and apprenticeships. Sponsored by GRM Networks.	Dodson Branch School (Cookeville, TN) Award $5,000 to purchase 21 Chromebooks will be used for guided learning activities and state test preparation for students. Sponsored by Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation.
East 52 Volunteer Fire Department (Celina, TN) Award $550 To equip the volunteer fire department with modern technology to display the video portion of the CPR, AED, and First Aid training that can then be used for first aid training in the community. Sponsored by Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation.	Gervais High School (Gervais, OR) Award $3,144 to provide 12 new Chromebooks to be used by the high school's construction technologies program within the Career Technical Education curriculum. The tablets will help promote student research and collaboration while developing a work place learning environment. Sponsored by Gervais Telephone Company.
Grand Marais Art Colony (Grand Marais, MN) Award $5,000 to acquire an interactive smartboard, laptop and high-quality webcam, both of which pair with the smartboard. These products would then be used to expand educational opportunities focused on art through distance educations for all ages. Sponsored by Arrowhead Electric Cooperative.	Heartland Farm (Pawnee Rock, KS) Award $1,000 To purchase one permanent and one portable Whiteboard/projection screens with interactive capabilities and accessories to utilize their broadband capability in their meeting facilities for educational projects. Sponsored by Golden Belt Telephone Association, Inc.
Jordaan Memorial Library (Larned, KS) Award $5,000 to purchase 5 all-in-one computers for public use. Sponsored by Golden Belt Telephone Association, Inc.	Lyons Middle School (Lyons, KS) Award $5,000 to purchase of IHT spirit system heart rate monitors to track student's activity levels. The equipment will not only help students learn to stay active but can help educators see students reaching moderate levels of activity, which has shown a correlation to a decrease in behavioral problems throughout the school day and an increase in academic success. Sponsored by Mutual Telephone Co.
Northwest State Community Foundation (Archbold, OH) Award $5,000 to offer a new three-day Cyber Security & Telecommunications Summer Camp for high school students in Northwest Ohio that will instill cybersecurity awareness, spark interests and provide hands on technical skills that are valuable in everyday interactions with technologies. Sponsored by Farmers Mutual Telephone Company.	Pine Haven Elementary (Jamestown, TN) Award $5,000 To purchase Boxlight touch boards and materials for the creation of a STEM program and shared STEM learning space. Sponsored by Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation.
Ridgeway R-V School (Ridgeway, MO) Award $5,000 to purchase 13 Chromebooks, Chromebook management consoles and 1 ELMO Document Camera. Chromebooks are shared throughout the Pre-K-12 school and are used for multiple programs, including dual enrollment classes at the local college. Sponsored by GRM Networks.	Springville Township Wexford County Michigan (Mesick, MI) Award $5,000 to assist in the development of the new Springville Township Community Center and Library in renovating a vacated hardware building in the Village of Mesick, Michigan. The completed project will be the focal point of the community for educational, recreational, and other social activities. Sponsored by AcenTek.
Unified School District 444 (Little River, KS) Award $5,000 to purchase of robotic starter kits for a growing robotics program. Sponsored by Mutual Telephone Co.	USD 322 (Onaga, KS) Award $4,147 to implement FOSS modules into our 4th grade science curriculum to prepare students for the 5th grade State Science Assessments and also Junior High where science concepts are explored in more detail and a solid science knowledge-base is essential for career and college readiness. Sponsored by Blue Valley Tele-Communications, Inc.
Virginia Memorial Public Library (Virginia, IL) Award $1,800 to purchase large touch screen desktop computers and tablets for the public library, enabling the facility to provide internet access for families, adults or children who do not have broadband services at home. Sponsored by Cass Communications, Inc.	Wamego Public Library (Wamego, KS) Award $5,000 to purchase new technology to use in programming for children, teens, and adults in our community. This would allow them to promote advancing the technology skills of community members within the library and through outreach programs and incorporate innovation into learning through programming for all ages enhanced by updated technology. Sponsored by Wamego Telephone Company, Inc.
Wheeler County Schools (Alamo, GA) Award $5,000 to begin an aquaponics STEM initiative which will add an aquaponics system and educational curriculum to Wheeler County Schools. The Aquaponics system would serve as a creative teaching tool and bring core STEM subjects like biology, chemistry, and agriculture to life for their students by adding excitement, exploration, and hands-on discovery. Sponsored by Glenwood Telephone Company.	Wynona Public Schools (Caldwell, KS) Award $5,000 to purchase Google Expeditions (an immersive education app that allows teachers and students to explore the world through over 1000 virtual-reality (VR) and 100 augmented-reality (AR) tours) to widen the horizon for students and community members. Sponsored by KanOkla Networks.

Our 2018 Grant Recipients!

5 Loaves Food Pantry (Twin Lakes, TN) Awarded $4,608 for basic technology classes and Wi-Fi access. Endorsed by Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corp.	Clifton Community Library (Cranberry Lake, NY) Awarded $1,060 for the creation of a Wi-Fi hot-spot in Newton Falls. Endorsed by SLIC Network Solutions.
Face to Face Recovery Organization (Jesup, GA) Awarded $3,800 for a start-up distance learning GED education program within the Wayne County jail system. Endorsed by ATC Broadband.	Family Resource Center (Lac Du Flambeau, WI) Awarded $4,950 for the creation of a sustainable telehealth program for the Luc Du Flambeau Indian Reservation and Community. Endorsed by Price County Telephone Co.
Gervais High School (Gervais, OR) Awarded $4,944 for the purchase of 12 Google Chromebooks, carrying cases and wall- mounted screens to enhance and further educational programming. Endorsed by Gervais Telephone Co.	Greater West Central Public Library District (Augusta, IL) Awarded $5,000 for the purchase of nine desktop computers and five iPads to be distributed throughout the library district’s five locations. Endorsed by Adams Telephone Cooperative.
Mercer County Ambulance Service (Hazen, ND) Awarded $3,000 to upgrade their four laptops to provide better care to the 8,000 people they serve. Endorsed by West River Telecom.	Moundridge Public Library (Moundridge, KS) Awarded $3,942 to add three computers to its public computer work stations. This will give the library four computers, nearer to the state-recommended six for a library of its size. Endorsed by Moundridge Communications Network.
Oakhurst Community College Outreach Center (OCCC) (Oakhurst, CA) Awarded $5,000 to improve the center’s distance learning opportunities by installing distance learning equipment for high school enrichment and dual enrollment classes. The new equipment will allow OCCC to link to distance learning programs at other community colleges. Endorsed by Sierra Telephone.	Owsley County Action Team (Booneville, KY) Awarded $5,000 to the Booneville Teleworks Hub. The Teleworks Hub helps train local residents in the hopes of finding them telework jobs with companies throughout the world. Endorsed by Peoples Rural Telephone Co.
Screven County Community Collaborative Inc. (Sylvania, GA) Awarded $5,000 for the purchase of tablets, hotspot equipment, laptops, and a smartboard to be used on its “Learning on Wheels” tech bus. Endorsed by Planters Telephone Cooperative.	Toole County Health Foundation (Marias Medical Center) (Shelby, MT) Awarded $3,600 for the purchase of a mobile telemedicine cart. Endorsed by Three Rivers Communications.