Pictured are Chris Hopp, Alpine Communications general manager,
and Amy Echard, president of the Clayton County Farm Bureau
Telecommunications Service Provider Celebrated for Technologies Provided to Rural Iowa
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – April 30, 2013 – Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) says the Clayton County telecommunications provider, Alpine Communications, has played a pivotal role in regional economic development, bringing high-speed Internet and advanced technologies to rural northeast Iowa; it is why the Elkader-based company has been named the IFBF Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur Award winner for May.
Alpine Communications is unique in that it is owned and governed by a collection of independent telecommunication companies joined together after a large service provider pulled out of the rural exchanges. Since its founding in 1997, Alpine Communications has strived to provide rural Iowa communities access to a robust telecommunications infrastructure to foster economic development. “Over the years we’ve moved from just being a plain old telephone provider to dial-up Internet service to DSL to broadband services. We’ve invested in fiber-to-the-home technology to really bring these advanced broadband services to rural residents, businesses, and especially farmers,” said Chris Hopp, general manager of Alpine Communications.
Long renowned in northeast Iowa for delivering the latest technology to rural citizens, Alpine Communications strives to integrate itself into every community they serve. Alpine and its 18 employees are actively involved in over 60 community organizations and log thousands of volunteer hours each year. To date, Alpine Communications has granted $100,000 to non-profit organizations.
“Today’s Iowa farmers and rural residents constantly work to improve their communities and quality of life. Demonstrating commitment to rural northeast Iowa by providing the latest technology services infrastructure, Alpine Communications has facilitated economic development while helping rural Iowa flourish and succeed,” said Sandy Ehrig, IFBF economic development administrator.
Renew Rural Iowa (RRI) is an IFBF initiative supporting new and existing businesses through education, mentoring, and financial resources. For more information, go to www.renewruraliowa.com.