You can hear the whistlings, cheers, and screams from afar. You can see the swags and colorful shirts. The teens are selling lemonade and cookies along the way. You can perceive the aroma from the many barbecue grills. Parents and kids are walking to the arena with excitement. The young and old are elated. You can see the heart and soul of the town come alive. You can feel the pride and vibe of unity in the community.
I had the honor of moderating a panel at the NTCA RTime event in San Antonio, where I interviewed Kristi Westbrock, CEO of Consolidated Telecommunications Company (CTC), and Brad Rieger, Board Chair of Midwest Energy Cooperative. Our discussion emphasized the vital role that leadership, both at the board and executive levels, plays in building strong community success.
The Communications Coalition of Kansas (CCK) is an organization of Rural Local Exchange Carriers (RLECs) that carry broadband through hundreds of miles, across dozens of communities, as well as to agricultural, educational, governmental, and healthcare institutions. In short, CCK members form the backbone of high-speed connectivity for the most rural economies of Kansas. CCK members serve 50% of the state’s geographic area, 104 out of the state’s 105 counties, and about 15% of households. Nex-Tech is a member of the CCK. Every year, we join other CCK members to visit the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka and engage with legislators.
Most people have been asked these questions in a phone call. But responding “yes” may leave people on the hook for more nuisance calls and maybe even unauthorized charges. This new scheme is called the “Can You Hear Me?” Scam. Learn more
The City of WaKeeney is located in Trego County in the northwest region of Kansas. Nex-Tech has been serving the residents and businesses of WaKeeney with fiber broadband for many years.
For over 80 years, the Universal Service Fund (USF) has helped rural communications providers like Nex-Tech and others in western Kansas to provide and maintain connectivity to many of our rural towns. Simply put, Nex-Tech and perhaps your local broadband company may not be able to construct or maintain broadband networks without this federal fund. However, recent events at the federal level have raised controversial questions about the fund, and it is now necessary to shed more light on this with our community stakeholders.
Marketing in today’s world is more competitive than ever, and it’s no secret that many businesses feel overwhelmed trying to stand out and attract customers effectively. If you’ve ever wondered how to get more orders without increasing your marketing budget, you’re not alone. That’s where order tracking data comes in—a tool that can make your efforts more precise and impactful.
The City of Morland is located in Graham County in the northwest region of Kansas. Nex-Tech has been serving the people of Morland with fiber broadband for many years. I recently had a great time visiting Morland and engaging with the city council on ways to work together to enhance the quality of life in the city.
As a company, we are grateful to be able to serve so many families and businesses across Kansas and beyond. We are humbled that some of these opportunities can mark the beginning of a career for a young person and set them up for success many years from now.
There is a new ‘cool’ grant out there from the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDOC), called the Towns Grant. See all the details on the grant page: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/towns/