September 26, 2019
Alpine Communications invites Clayton and Fayette County stakeholders to the area’s first-ever Connected Communities Summit on Thursday, October 10, 2019, in Elkader. The half-day Summit is a consortium of rural development experts, entrepreneurs, key business innovators, and community leaders. The purpose of the Connected Communities Summit is to share the incredible opportunities our region has for growth powered by fiber-optic broadband and technology.
Chris Hopp, Alpine Communications general manager, describes the impetus of the Connected Communities Summit. “We are hosting the Connected Communities Summit to empower our communities with information, strategies, and enthusiasm to help our communities thrive. We believe broadband will drive the 21st-century economy. Alpine’s 100% fiber-optic Fusion Network is a key component that will fuel growth in businesses, healthcare, education, and quality-of-life.”
Rep. Ron Kresha, the co-founder of Golden Shovel Agency and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, will kick-off the Summit by discussing the importance of rural broadband and exploring strategies for communities to embrace the upcoming rural resurgence.
Next, Bill Menner, a long-time rural development leader, will moderate a panel of local business innovators who will share their success stories. The panelists include:
- Adam Jackson Pollock, Fire Farm Lighting
- Brent Grinna, EverTrue
- Jackie Lee, Pattison Sand Company
- Lavern Bird, MercyOne Elkader
- Ketaki Poyekar, Studio K8Ki
The event continues with a panel of rural development experts who will share how the region can leverage the area’s abundant resources for growth and prosperity in the future.
- Dave Duncan, Iowa Communications Alliance
- Bill Menner, The Bill Menner Group
- Mark Reinig, Iowa State University
- Jeff Kolb, Butler-Grundy Development Alliance
A roundtable luncheon and networking session round-out the Summit. Golden Shovel Agency will feature virtual reality demonstrations during the event breaks and lunch.
The event is free of charge, and the registration deadline is Thursday, October 3, 2019. You can register by calling Alpine Communications at 563-245-4000 or visit www.alpinecom.net/connected-communities-summit.
About Alpine Communications
Alpine Communications believes connected communities become thriving communities. Located in Northeast Iowa and serving the Smart Rural Communities of Elgin, Elkader, Guttenberg, Garnavillo, Garber, Marquette, and McGregor, Alpine is the local telephone company that became a 21st-century communications provider. We provide internet, television, cellular, security … and telephone too! We promise personal, timely, reliable service from people who live here. When you choose us, we all thrive. Connect with Alpine Communications at www.alpinecom.net.
