Community Solarus honored for delivering broadband-enabled solutions in the Wisconsin Rapids area and surrounding communities
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. –Solarus is one of 13 rural communications firms in North America to be honored with the Smart Rural Community Showcase Award by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, which cited Solarus’ advanced communications services and collaboration with local leaders in health care, public safety and education as keys to its success.
At a gathering of more than 1,000 leaders of rural telecommunications providers hosted by NTCA, Solarus was honored with an award for deploying advanced technologies and leveraging those technologies to enable innovation in the areas of economic development and commerce, education, enhanced health care, government services, security and energy use. Solarus’ efforts were judged against those of dozens of other communities nationwide by a panel of experts from the fields of telecommunications, software and technology services, education, health care and economic development.
In addition to Solarus, 12 other providers and their communities in Alaska, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Kansas, Ontario, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Wisconsin also were recognized.
“Solarus is a prime example of the power of a broadband connection and a steadfast commitment to growth and prosperity,” said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield. “Not only are the people of Wisconsin Rapids and the surrounding communities charting their own path to a more prosperous future, they are also creating a road map for many more communities across the country to follow suit. I commend the people of Wisconsin Rapids and the surrounding communities for these extraordinary efforts.”
The NTCA Smart Rural Community initiative recognizes and celebrates the efforts of rural telecommunications providers and their communities to deliver technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. The goal of the initiative is to foster the development of Smart Rural Communities throughout rural America by recognizing trailblazers and providing resources to assist broadband providers and connected industries.
“We are pleased and excited to accept this award,” said Doug Wenzlaff, CEO and General Manager, who received the award on behalf of Solarus. “We have worked hard with our local leaders to ensure that our citizens have access to advanced communications and the many benefits those services enable. We look forward to building on our success for many years to come.”
For more information contact Mike Meinel 715-‐421-‐8160.
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Solarus is headquartered in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, and offers local and long distance telephone, Internet and television service throughout North Central Wisconsin. To learn more about Solarus, visit www.solarus.net, or www.facebook.com/Solarus.net
About NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association NTCA
–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 900 independent, community-‐based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-‐town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of exploding technology, deregulation and marketplace competition, NTCA’s members are leading the IP evolution for rural consumers, delivering technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development and commerce, education, health care, government services, security and smart energy use. Visit us at www.ntca.org.
