Written by Stacy Simmer, Community Relations Manager for Rainbow Communications on July 08, 2016
On September 21, 2015, Rainbow Communications of Everest, Kansas, received the Smart Rural Community Showcase award. In its application, Rainbow Communications highlighted as many as twenty different local organizations and businesses that utilize broadband to enhance growth and innovation.
To celebrate and spread awareness, Rainbow Communications is visiting each community on a Smart Rural Community Road Tour. The purpose of the tour is to recognize the communities for the contributions that earned their recognition as a Smart Rural Community. The tour will run through September, and Rainbow plans to visit 14 communities, along with ten businesses and organizations. Each community, no matter the size, is important and Rainbow wants to take the time to recognize and thank them for allowing us to be their local, trusted provider.
“We are honored to be nationally recognized for our contributions to our communities. While we invest in our broadband networks, our rural communities are smart because businesses and organizations utilize our broadband in ways to inspire economic growth and social development. This is an honor for all of us to celebrate.” - Jason Smith, Assistant General Manager, Rainbow Communications
We want the cities to recognize (especially our ILEC areas) that they have faster broadband than most urban areas. This is a leverage tool for economic development and youth retention. And, our Business Sales Department also plans to visit businesses that were featured in our application to thank them.
“We are honored to be nationally recognized for our contributions to our communities. While we invest in our broadband networks, our rural communities are smart because businesses and organizations utilize our broadband in ways to inspire economic growth and social development. This is an honor for all of us to celebrate,” explains Jason Smith, Assistant General Manager.
Rainbow made a one-page flyer that explains the award and gives a brief description of the community achievements that we featured in our application. We also leave cookies, a window cling to display at a community building (attached), and in some cases, the road sign.
So far, all the communities have been really excited about this and some of the individuals and commissioners weren’t aware that they have faster broadband than most urban areas – this thrills them!
To learn more about Smart Rural Community, visit www.ntca.org/smart.
