mlgc WIP

A message from Our general manager Tyler Kilde

This September marked my 20th year at MLGC. As milestones often do, this anniversary has caused me to reflect on all that has changed over the years.

Of course, there is MLGC’s geographic footprint; since I joined MLGC, we have added many miles to our service territory, expanding as far as Horace, South Fargo, Kindred, Davenport, Mapleton, and Hickson. The technology that we provide has also changed drastically, from dialup to fiber-optic internet that makes it possible for entrepreneurs like Tessa Klubben to bring their business ideas to life (page 6).

We’re not just building a faster, more robust fiber network; we are empowering our customers with tools like the CommandIQ app (page 5) and MLGC TV (page 9) to help them make the most of their internet connection.

And we’ve worked tirelessly to make the internet accessible for all by participating in government initiatives like the FCC Affordable Connectivity

Program (page 11) and USDA ReConnect Program (page 3).

These accomplishments have only been possible because of our people. By bringing on new employees like Andy Pratt and James Dougherty (page 9), we have built an incredibly passionate, collaborative, and innovative team dedicated to the mission of MLGC.

While much has changed over the past two decades, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to you, our customers. MLGC made a promise to provide the best technologies and services available at competitive rates, and in my time here, we have followed through on that promise time and time again.

Thank you for continuing to trust MLGC as your local provider. I am proud of all that we have achieved over the past 20 years, and can’t wait to see what the next 20 hold.

Introducing: Griggs!

Rural Development Announces Nearly $50 Million for HighSpeed Internet in North Dakota

News Release

U.S. Department of Agriculture 220 East Rosser Avenue

Bismarck, ND 58502 www.usda.gov/nd

Contact: Chris Freeman, (701) 425-4846

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $50 Million for High-Speed Internet in Rural North Dakota

Funding Will Provide High-Speed Internet Access to 5,822 People and 205 Businesses in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D., Sept. 22, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Erin Oban today announced that the Department is awarding nearly $50 million in loans and grants to provide high-speed internet access for rural residents and businesses in North Dakota. The funding is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to investing in rural infrastructure and providing reliable, affordable, high-speed internet for all. USDA is making the investments through the third funding round of the ReConnect Program. The Department will make additional investments for rural high-speed internet in the coming months, including funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable, high-speed internet to all communities across the U.S.

“Whether it’s how friends and family stay connected to one other, how we keep ourselves informed, how students learn at school, how healthcare is delivered to patients, or how businesses provide to their customers, access to high-speed internet is an essential service, as necessary in our day-to-day lives as reliable electricity and running water,” said Oban. “USDA Rural

Development is committed to improving the lives of rural Americans everywhere, and these investments of nearly $50 million in loans and grants will enhance and strengthen broadband access in some of the most difficult to reach locations and communities in North Dakota.”

USDA is making 32 awards in Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming. Many of the awards will help rural people and businesses on Tribal lands and people in socially vulnerable communities.

In North Dakota:

Consolidated Enterprises Inc. will use a $13,814,768 grant to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. This network will connect 851 people, 38 businesses, 164 farms, and one school to high-speed internet in Billings and Stark counties in North Dakota. Consolidated Enterprises will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity and Lifeline programs.

Halstad Telephone Company will use a $2,815,462 grant to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. This network will connect 532 people, seven businesses, and 86 farmers to high-speed internet in Traill county. Halstad Telephone Company will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity and Lifeline programs.

Griggs County Telephone Company will use a $16,880,472 loan to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. This network will connect 2,943 people, 99 businesses, 11 educational facilities, and 1,731 farms to high-speed internet in Ransom, Cass, and Richland counties in North Dakota.

Tyler Kilde President and General Manager

MLGC was proud to provide Cass County with the funding to secure a new K9 officer, Griggs. In addition to narcotics detection, K9 Griggs is trained to track missing persons and wanted suspects. We are honored to support our local law enforcement and congratulate Griggs on his

photo from: D. Webster via https://news.prairiepublic.org/ local-news/2022-10-17/k9-griggs-is-sworn-in-at-cass-coun ty-sheriffs-office

BEK Communications Cooperative will use a $13,942,351 grant to deploy a fiber-to-thepremises network. This will connect 1,496 people, 61 businesses, 257 farms, and four schools in Barnes, Cass, and Ransom counties in North Dakota. BEK Communications Cooperative will make high-speed internet affordable by continuing to participate in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity and Lifeline programs.

Background: ReConnect Program

To be eligible for ReConnect Program funding, an applicant must serve an area where high-speed internet service speeds are lower than 100 megabits per second (Mbps) (download) and 20 Mbps (upload). The applicant must also commit to building facilities capable of providing high-speed internet service at speeds of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in its proposed service area.

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.

Background: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

President Biden forged consensus and compromise between Democrats, Republicans and Independents

to demonstrate our democracy can deliver big wins for the American people. After decades of talk on rebuilding America’s crumbling infrastructure, President Biden delivered the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – a historic investment in America that will change people’s lives for the better and get America moving again.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $65 billion to ensure every American has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet through a historic investment in broadband infrastructure deployment. The legislation also lowers costs for internet service and helps close the digital divide, so that more Americans can take full advantage of the opportunities provided by internet access.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

Customize your network with MLGC’s Managed Wi-Fi service! With our new generation units powered by Wi-Fi 6 technology, get high-performance extended coverage for the ultimate Wi-Fi experience.

What is Managed Wi-Fi?

Managed Wi-Fi is wireless internet service that is managed by your Internet provider.

Managed Wi-Fi provides one secure, property-wide Internet network.

Residents reap the benefits of having their own personal, secure network with various access points throughout the property, instead of just their unit.

And now you can easily manage your Wi-FI connection and all the devices in your home! MLGC’s CommandIQ app gives you access to a snapshot view of your home or small business network. Through the app, you can view all the connected devices on your network, set up parental controls or a guest network, change your SSID and password, and more. CommandIQ puts you in charge!

Compliment your Managed Wi-Fi service and CommandIQ by subscribing to additional features like ProtectIQ and ExperienceIQ. ProtectIQ proactively

MLGC’s Underserved Residents—by the numbers

monitors your home’s incoming traffic and automatically blocks anything suspicious, blocks user attempts to harmful websites, and actively monitors threats from hackers therefore keeping your network and devices safe. ExperienceIQ protects children from harmful or inappropriate content, limits screen time on devices or applications, and displays online usage to better understand HOW the internet is being used in your home.

130 connected addresses connected underserved rural areas of Kindred, Walcott, Hickson, Horace, Fargo, Mapleton, Davenport.

40 miles of fiber have been plowed in 2022.

250 miles of fiber will be plowed in2023.

Business Spotlight

Klub Kutz

With high-speed internet from MLGC, a Cooperstown business proves that anything is paw-sible.

Tessa opened the doors to Klub Kutz on June 11, 2022, to much excitement from local dogs and their owners.

Some of her fondest childhood memories involve spending time outside with her family’s dogs, playing fetch or going for long walks around her hometown of Cooperstown, North Dakota.

Now an adult, Tessa has two beloved dogs of her own: a Shih Tzu-Bichon Frise mix named Trixi and a German Shepherd named Elsa. She wouldn’t trade her puppies for the world, but even this doting dog mom admits there is one thing about Trixi and Elsa she doesn’t love.

“There is hair everywhere,” Tessa said. “And being in a small town, I have to travel at least half an hour to get to a groomer.”

So, she took matters into her own hands–and shears.

In February 2022, Tessa purchased Finley Paw Spa and began training with the shop’s previous owner. She gave the business a new home in Cooperstown, as well as a new name: Klub Kutz.

While continuing to work full-time, Tessa set to work renovating Klub Kutz’s new location. In addition to a grooming table, a wash tub, and a nice set of brushes, Tessa knew would need a high-speed, reliable internet connection to make her new business a success. So, she called MLGC.

“They came out right away and got me connected to the internet so I could start my business,” Tessa said.

“I’m already booking at least a month out. Everybody is pretty happy to have a groomer in town,” Tessa said. “They come to me and say, ‘Thank goodness you opened so I don’t have to travel so far anymore.’”

As a business owner, sole employee, and busy mom to three, Tessa doesn’t have time for slow, lagging internet. She relies on it for everything from booking appointments to entertaining her kids when they come to work with her. Fortunately, she knows that if she runs into any issues with her service, she can call MLGC and have someone on-site at a moment’s notice to get her up and running.

Welcome to Cooperstown, Klub Kutz! MLGC is proud to help entrepreneurs like Tessa Klubben bring their business ideas to life. Learn more and book your dog’s next appointment at facebook.com/KlubKutz.

—Tessa Klubben Owner of Klub Kutz

Tessa Klubben has always been a “dog person.”

[MLGC] came out right away and got me connected to the internet so I could start my business.

“

Dion & Megan

Welcome to the team:

Andy Pratt

Combination Technician, Cooperstown

Andy Pratt joined MLGC as a Combination Technician in May.

His previous experience in the telecommunications industry has prepared Andy to complete major projects, like the conversion to MLGC TV, efficiently and effectively.

When asked his favorite part of working at MLGC, James said: “Belonging to a team that feels more like a family, where my opinion is actually taken into consideration and valued instead of being treated as a number.”

James Dougherty

Combination Technician, Kindred

Another Combination Technician, James Dougherty, joined the MLGC team in September. When he’s not hard at work providing internet, TV, and phone services to our customers, you can find James playing with his kids, throwing a ball for his dogs, or lifting weights at the gym.

He has this advice to share with anyone interested in joining the telecommunications industry: “Take every chance you get to learn. The industry is constantly changing. Take every opportunity to listen to those who have been in the field and learn from them.”

Level up to MLGCTV!

Enjoy everything you love about TV, plus so much more. Watch shows, movies and local programming – live, recorded, and on-demand – in HD. Use the mobile app to stream your favorites anywhere, anytime, on the device of your choice. It’s simple, hassle-free, and great for the entire family.

Features & Benefits

HD TV/Streaming: Enjoy a crystal-clear viewing experience.

Expanded Features: Live TV, local

stations, record/playback features, and on-demand viewing.

Personalization: Each member of the household can create a profile, with tailored recommendations to help you watch your favorite shows and movies. Plus, set parental controls so your kids can only access appropriate content!

Voice Control: Voice search is built right into your remote.

Restart TV: Miss the beginning of your show? Don’t worry–with MLGCTV, you can restart a TV program that is already in progress.

Out of Home/Watch TV Everywhere: Watch your recordings and some of your channels even when you’re on the go.

Multiple Streams: Your family can be watching TV on three different devices at the same time.

Dion Brown

Promoted to Assistant Manager from Combination Technician. Congrats Dion!

Megan Schlecht Promoted to Administrative Assistant in addition to her existing roll as Customer Service Representative

I had no idea that Internet could be this good, and I have your lowest plan!

and we had a nice visit.

MLGC has been awesome to work with and I’m excited to be a new customer. Four guys were there this morning and they were all great and did such an awesome job.

Recently our home internet went out. Within 5 minutes. Jared and a coworker showed up to fix it. It was awesome!

301 Dewey St, Enderlin, ND 58027 (701) 437-3300 www.mlgc.com

MLGC’s Dedicated Team

IN THE KITCHEN WITH Joyce Brown

As you already know, Joyce is a community gem. She’s not only active in her church, civic duties, and makes sure the whole team at MLGC is behaving, but she gives Martha Stewart and Rachael Ray a run for their money in the kitchen! So we decided to highlight some of her favorite recipes in each issue of the MLGC SyncUp. Have you tasted one of her dishes at a potluck and are just dying to get your hands on one of her recipes, well shoot us an email at inthekitchen@mlgc.com.

Tyler General Manager 19 years of Service Joyce HR Manager 29 years of Service Loren Operations Manager 19 years of Service Shelie Business Manager 23 years of Service Jill Billing & Customer Care Manager, Marketing 10 years of Service Chris Network Manager 1 years of Service

Marty Network Customer Support 25 years of Service

Larry Plant Manager (Enderlin) 49 years of Service

Rudy Plant Manager (Cooperstown) 24 years of Service Brad Project Manager 17 years of Service Eric Combination Tech 5 years of Service Dion Combination Tech 15 years of Service

Joel Combination Tech 6 years of Service Jared Combination Tech <1 years of Service Rick Combination Tech <1 years of Service Wanda Customer Service Representative 9 years of Service Megan Customer Service Representative <1 years of Service Tim Office Manager <1 years of Service

Human Resources, Corporate Secretary, MLGC