MINOT, ND (KXNET) — The Rural Broadband Association (NTCA) announced SRT Communications as a recipient of the 2024 Smart Rural Community Showcase Award at this year’s NTCA Fall Conference. This annual award goes to rural broadband providers who have led collaborative and innovative projects that advance the communities they serve. SRT earned the award for hosting Rural Prosperity: A Workshop for Enriching Communities last October. The Rural Prosperity event, featuring about 30 leaders from ND communities, gave attendees a chance to learn about funding and resources available to them and connect with peers so they can begin creating plans to improve their own communities. Guest speakers at the SRT conference included Erin Oban, State Director of USDA Rural Development, and Megan Langley, Founder and Executive Director of Strengthen ND. The conference featured discussions on things like incremental growth, the cooperative model, and meeting the needs of rural communities. Heavy equipment operator wins Public Works Roadeo title “It made my day to see all of those community leaders in the same room for our Rural ProsperityWorkshop,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager. “A cornerstone — andresponsibility — of SRT’s vision is to be an economic catalyst for the region. Each of these leaders is a catalyst for their own community, which is why we brought them together to share ideas and inspire each other.” SRT was designated as a Smart Rural Community provider by NTCA. Smart Rural Communities provide many important services for Rural America, such as economic development, effective education, efficient energy use, and state-of-the-art health care. Hjelmstad continued, “These Smart Rural Communities have SRT’s broadband infrastructure, aswell as our unwavering support, to help them achieve their development goals. SRT iscommitted to collaborating with local, regional, and state leadership to advance collectiveprosperity for all, and we are grateful to NTCA for this honor.” Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW