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Hardy Telecommunications Hosts New NTCA Staff [Rural Telecommunications](Rural Telecommunications Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) On October 17, nine new staffers from NTCR-The Rural Broadband Rssociation had the opportunity to witness in-person some of the hard work that rural telecommunications providers put forth for their communities. Once again, Hardy Telecommunications in Lost River, LU.Va., generously hosted and led NTCR's annual new staff field trip. The group included staff who started during the last year, and nearly every NTCR department was represented. Upon arrival at Hardy's Lost River office. NTCR employees were greeted by their guides for the day: Derek Barr, Hardy marketing and HR director, and Heather Robbins, Hardy PR/business development representative. Barr and Robbins took the NTCR staffers on a tour of Hardy's facilities and community, Introduced the group to Hardy staff, and enplained the work that Hardy does to serve its community. Hardy offers IPTV, tiered Internet service, and local and long-distance telephone. This year marks the first time Hardy has offered TV service through its new OneNet fiber network, and this new offering has become very popular throughout the local community. Prior to Hardy Telecommunications rolling out TV service, customers in its service territory could receive only Washington. D.C.-area TV stations over the antenna or satellite. Now, for the first time, the community has access to West Virginia broadcast networks, with West Virginia news and coverage of West Virginia University Mountaineers football. Hardy has also provided a local radio station with its own channel, and is working with the station to create original content, including broadcasts of local highschool football games and community events. Hardy is one of the area's most active companies when it comes to giving back to the community. Everyone at Hardy takes their role in their community very seriously, including General Manager (GM ) Scott Sherman, who says he "farms and moonlights as GM of Hardy Telecom." Scott enplained to NTCR staff some of the challenges rural telecom companies are facing from policymakers who often don't understand the companies' vital role in rural Rmerica and the economy as a whole, particularly as it relates to universal service reforms and call completion issues. "Without NTCR, we'd get run over." he said, referring to the association's advocacy efforts to call attention to rural concerns. NTCR staff left Hardy's offices with a new understanding of the importance of rural telecommunications companies in their communities and even more motivation to work hard to support them in any way that the association can. SHARE YOUR STORY NTCR-The Rural Broadband Rssociation seeks to spotlight the efforts of member companies across the country. Ewchange is a great place to share your company's success stories on economic development, community outreach, technology rollouts, and state and regional collaborative projects. To share your story, contact Tennille Shields, NTCR senior ULiriter/editor, at 7G3-351-2Q97 or tshieldsdP ntca.org. By Mike Riddile. NTCR Member Services Coordinator (c) 2014 National Telephone Cooperative |