Rural Broadband Providers Earn 2016 Smart Rural Community Showcase Awards
Indianapolis, Ind. (September 26, 2016)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association last week recognized Garden Valley as one of 12 communities in rural areas of the United States that have earned Smart Rural Community Showcase awards as part of the association’s initiative to highlight efforts that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business.
The goal of the NTCA Smart Rural Community initiative is to foster the development of smart communities throughout rural America and Canada by encouraging innovative implementation of broadband solutions and access to next-generation applications for distance learning, telehealth services, public safety and security. Smart Rural Community provides educational programming, matching grant resources and an award program to recognize top-performing communities. Last week, NTCA recognized Garden Valley as a service provider that represents Smart Rural Community principles.
Garden Valley was recognized for their advanced technology offered to businesses, schools, hospitals and the residents they serve. Garden Valleys’ efforts were judged by a panel of experts from the fields of telecommunications, agriculture, technology services and civic engagement and public safety. “Garden Valley is honored to receive this award and understands the impact broadband has on the youth and communities they serve in the rural areas,” said Tim Brinkman, CEO/General Manager.
NTCA Smart Rural Community award recipients were recognized at a gathering of more than 1,100 rural telecom leaders in Indianapolis. In addition to receiving national and local recognition for their extraordinary efforts, the selected award recipients will join recipients of prior year awards to formulate best practices and assist other rural communities in the implementation of innovative broadband-enabled solutions to drive economic and community strength in rural areas throughout the nation.
For more information about the initiative, visit www.ntca.org/smart.
