Paul Bunyan Communications is returning more than $3.7 million to its members through this year’s capital credit retirement.
As a member-owned cooperative, when it generates positive margins in any given year, those funds are allocated to members based on their use of services. Over time, those allocations are returned to members as capital credit retirements, allowing them to share directly in the cooperative’s financial success.
Members who currently receive services from Paul Bunyan Communications and have a retirement amount of $150 or less will see the credit applied directly to their September bill. Members with retirements exceeding $150 have been mailed a check.
“Everything we accomplish as a cooperative is made possible by our members,” said Chad Bullock, Chief Executive Officer of Paul Bunyan Communications. “As we continue to expand and enhance our all-fiber optic network, it’s rewarding to be able to return a portion of that success back to those who helped make it possible. Returning capital credits is one of the core values of cooperative membership.”
Today, Paul Bunyan Communications serves more than 38,000 active members across a service territory spanning over 6,000 square miles. Through decades of investment and innovation, the cooperative has developed one of the largest rural all-fiber optic networks in the nation, delivering advanced communications services throughout northern Minnesota.
“Being a member of Paul Bunyan Communications comes with many benefits,” said Craig Boyer, Chief Financial Officer. “For more than 70 years, we’ve operated with our members’ best interests in mind. There are no membership fees or annual dues, simply subscribe to a local telephone line or GigaZone® Broadband Internet service and you become a member-owner of the cooperative.”
The cooperative employs more than 160 local professionals who live and work throughout the region, providing support close to home for the critical services we provide.
“Unlike national providers, every decision we make is focused on northern Minnesota,” said Brian Bissonette, Marketing Supervisor. “The revenue generated here stays here, supporting local jobs, expanding our network, improving services, and strengthening the communities we serve in many different ways.”
Members who received capital credit allocations in 2003 and/or 2025 totaling more than $10, but who do not receive a bill credit or check by October 1, are encouraged to contact Paul Bunyan Communications at (218) 444-1234 or (218) 999-1234.
Service availability depends upon location. Some restrictions may apply. Past performance is no guarantee of future capital credit returns.