To celebrate its 70th anniversary, Blackfoot Communications, a member-owned company based in Missoula, recently held an annual meeting with its shareholders. The cooperative’s focus was on community, connectivity and cooperation.
The Blackfoot Communications Board President Tom Eggensperger highlighted the importance of the cooperative to Western Montana. He emphasized that before the cooperative was formed in 1954, rural residents lacked telephone service. Today access to broadband is crucial and the company is working to expand its footprint to bridge the digital divide.
At the annual meeting, CEO Jason Williams emphasized the essential role that broadband plays in education, the economy, business and personal life. He announced that Blackfoot Communications has invested over $200 million to ensure everyone is connected across their 7,000 square foot footprint. They are using federal and state grants as well as their own capital to make this investment.
Cooperatives nationwide are expanding their digital footprints by adding broadband to their established networks. Blackfoot Communications is committed to reaching rural areas and Montana’s smallest communities. They are prepared for the future and ready to continue providing excellent communication services for the next 70 years.
To learn more about Blackfoot Communications visit their website at https://www.blackfoot.com/.