The partnership will allow the two organizations to combine
their resources and decades of experience to offer affordable and reliable
high-speed internet and technology services to members and customers throughout
the Bitterroot Valley.
The decision to acquire Grizzly Broadband came after several
months of research and discussion with Grizzly Broadband Owner’s Jason and
Tashara Pond.
With the events of 2020 resulting in an increased need for
high-speed Internet, both groups viewed this no longer as a luxury, but a
necessity.
“We had a significant increase in calls and requests for
internet service this past year, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down,” said
Pond. “So many people are relying on the internet for their day-to-day tasks
and in the area we live in, and sometimes being able to provide that quality
service to them can be difficult.”
Electric co-ops brought electricity to rural areas around
the U.S. in the 1930’s with the help of the Rural Electrification Act (REA).
Quality high-speed Internet in REC’s rural service territory is hard to come
by.
With the growing need for reliable internet in the valley,
REC General Manager, Mark Grotbo, feels the cooperative can help solve this
lack of broadband availability just as they did with the rural electricity
movement in the 1930s.
“We operate on seven cooperative principles, the seventh
being ‘Concern for Community’,” stated Grotbo. “Access to reliable, high-speed
Internet is essential for all of us here in rural Montana, but it is not always
a given where we live. Finding a way to fulfill this need for our members and
community has been a topic of discussion for a long time, and I believe the
cooperative can help solve this problem.”
The collaboration of the two local companies who share
common values, was fueled by the idea of working together to provide an
improved broadband solution for local area consumers. With the knowledge and
expertise of Grizzly Broadband, and large support of tools and infrastructure
from the co-op, the idea of combining resources seemed a win-win situation for
all.
REC’s Board of Directors unanimously approved to purchase
the local Internet company at their monthly board meeting.
“The core of REC’s service has always been innovation,
affordability and value,” stated REC Board President Rex Griffin. “By combining
our two entities together, we believe we can extend our mission to better serve
our members, homes, businesses, schools and the entire community with reliable
high-speed internet and fiber optic communication as the latest extension of our
commitment to REC’s mission.”
While the task at hand will be beneficial to all, it is also
extremely challenging and will require months of planning and preparation. Both
Grizzly Broadband and REC will keep consumers informed of improvements and
available fiber options through their websites and consumer newsletters.
“Just as it took time to run electricity throughout the
valley, it will take time to plan and install fiber,” said Grotbo. “While we
are all excited to take on this opportunity, we ask for patience from the
community as we move forward.”
Ravalli Electric officially took over ownership on May 27,
2021 and the Internet company will remain Grizzly Broadband at this time.
Grizzly Broadband is located at 222 N. 2nd St., in Hamilton.
