Garden Valley Technologies partnered with local schools to give students hands-on experience in broadcasting, video production and digital media while helping the cooperative produce hundreds of live broadcasts. The initiative keeps rural residents connected to local schools, sports, churches and community events while helping students build valuable career skills. 

In 2017, GHC began a fiber build-out through the business corridor of Chillicothe, Mo. Prior to the build-out, the city's government locations were struggling with unreliable 5/1 fixed wireless and T1 phone lines. Additionally, each location was on separate networks preventing locations such as the Fire and Police department from sharing information.

As a cooperative, GRM Networks strives to provide advanced technology with exceptional service. Among the many reasons GRM Networks was named a Smart Rural Community showcase award winner, two specific examples emphasize the company's work in local economic development and education. These projects illustrate GRM Networks' extraordinary dedication to the rural communities it serves.

In the first project, GRM Networks collaborated with other community and government organizations to assemble an incentive package that was instrumental in retaining an industry-leading business selling new and pre-owned automotive specialty tools. The garage-based startup experienced rapid expansion and was considering new locations to house their growing business and workforce. Robust fiber broadband from GRM Networks also powers their thriving e-commerce business.

Next, GRM Networks partnered with the county economic development group, the city government and the school district to establish a business incubator and co-workspace to bring together high school students and local entrepreneurs. The business incubator allowed the students in the Future Business Leaders of America organization to provide assistance with social media marketing for local small businesses, and in turn the students benefited from the mentorship of experienced business owners. Through this partnership, GRM Networks helped high school students gain valuable work-related experiences as well as helped sustain local businesses through modern marketing solutions.
 

Highline established the Highline Academy to provide digital skills resources and training to the communities it serves through live-taught, video-based learning that is modern and engaging.
 

Achievement
During the pandemic, Home Communications partnered with local schools and families to bring service to students during remote work. It also ran a promotion for all first responders and medical personnel for three months of free service as a thank you for everything they did during the pandemic. Home operates a school little library, which shares books for free and has been a family business committed to bringing service to their neighbors for decades.