Since 2004, Paul Bunyan Communications has offered low cost cable television advertising through Paul Bunyan Television and now the cooperative has partnered with Pinnacle Marketing Group to handle sales and production of PBTV advertising. PBTV Advertising Information

“As we looked at the future of PBTV Advertising, it is a natural fit for Pinnacle Marketing Group (PMG).  PMG is already providing a host of marketing services to the region with a team that will continue to provide the local customer service and marketing guidance our PBTV advertisers deserve.” said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.

Pinnacle Marketing Group, located in Bemidji, has been providing full-service marketing and advertising solutions to businesses for over 27 years. In addition to PBTV advertising, Pinnacle is also equipped to provide video production services including licensed drone and virtual tour photography.  Pinnacle Marketing Group Website

If you are interested in learning more about PBTV Advertising or any of the marketing/creative services offered by Pinnacle Marketing Group call (218) 444-2180 or e-mail advertise@pinnaclemgp.com

“We are excited for the opportunity to work with PBTV advertising customers as well as add this offering to our suite of marketing services. Paul Bunyan Television continues to be a popular service in our region and provides added value for any business looking to implement an effective marketing strategy.”, says Shelly Geerdes, Pinnacle Marketing Group CEO/General Manager.

Service interruption of some individual channels on Paul Bunyan Television may occur during the late afternoon hours through October 15 due to solar interference.  During the interference, reception may range from minor sparkles to loss of reception or picture freezing.

Solar interference occurs each calendar year in both the spring and the fall. It does not impact internet or telephone service.

What channels are affected and when will vary through October 15.

The 2020 Annual Business Meeting of Paul Bunyan Rural Telephone Cooperative was held June 24. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the business of the members to be conducted at the Annual Meeting was done exclusively by mail ballot.  The proposed bylaw amendments were approved with 1844 in favor, 47 against.

Instead of the regular fall distribution, Paul Bunyan Communications has sent out the 2020 Capital Credit return early to its members and it is the largest return in the cooperative’s history, over $4.1 million.

Paul Bunyan Communications is a not for profit company that strives to provide the highest quality service at the most affordable rates.  As a cooperative, membership in Paul Bunyan Communications includes sharing in the financial success of the company. Profits are allocated to the members based on their proportional share of the allocable revenues.  These allocations may then be returned to the individual members through capital credit retirements.

The 2020 distribution includes 20% of credits earned in 2019 and the remaining credits earned in 2002.  For current members with a distribution amount of $100 or less, a credit has been applied to your June bill. Checks have been mailed out to members receiving more than $100.

“The state of the cooperative is strong and our all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone, is one of the largest rural gigabit networks in the country.  This enables our members to keep connected to work from home, distance learn, use telehealth services, watch streaming video, and much more.  To help our members in these current circumstances, our Board of Directors felt strongly about paying out capital credits as aggressively and as quickly as possible” said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO/General Manager.

“Our cooperative member-owned structure and rural focus allows us to provide technologies and a level of service to our members unlike other providers. We are well prepared and committed to provide our members the critical communication services they need with the local customer service they deserve now and well into the future.  Thank you to all of our members for being a part of Minnesota’s largest broadband cooperative!” added Randy Frisk, Board President.

“Our cooperative provides the latest in technology at cost.  There is no membership fee to join Paul Bunyan Communications and there are no annual membership dues. To become a member of the cooperative, all you need to do is subscribe to either local phone or broadband Internet service. You get the latest in technology backed up by our talented team of over 130 local employees that all live and work here” added Dave Schultz, Paul Bunyan Communications Chief Financial Officer.

If you were a member of the cooperative in 2002 and/or 2019 and accrued more than $10 in total capital credit allocations, but do not receive the credit on your account or a check by June 27, please contact Paul Bunyan Communications at (218) 444-1234 or (218) 999-1234.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the business of the members to be conducted at the Annual Meeting will occur exclusively by mail ballot.  All votes, to be counted, must be in the form of the Official Ballot provided by the cooperative.  A properly completed ballot must be received by the cooperative no later than 3 p.m. local Bemidji, Minnesota time on June 24, 2020.

Members are advised that the cooperative will NOT hold a physical meeting.

The notification of Annual Meeting, Ballot, Bylaw Changes being voted upon and self-addressed stamped Secretary Envelope were mailed out to all members no later than June 1, 2020.

Each membership may only return one Official Ballot.

If you have any questions regarding the Annual Meeting exclusively by mail ballot, please contact us by phone, e-mail, or online chat.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Paul Bunyan Communications Cooperative Celebration scheduled for Wednesday, May 20 has been canceled.

“While it is unfortunate to cancel our community celebration, like so many others we recognize the importance of putting the health and safety of our friends, neighbors, cooperative members, and employees first.  At the same time, we see unprecedented demands right now on the critically important work of area food shelves.  To do our part to help, we’re making a special contribution of $100,000 to our area food shelves” said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO & General Manager.

“As a cooperative, our mission statement spells out our commitment to the communities we serve.  While we’re disappointed to have to cancel our event, the Board of Directors and employees of Paul Bunyan Communications hope this contribution helps those that need it most” added Randy Frisk, Board President.

The local food shelves supported by the cooperative include:

Bemidji Area Food Shelf

The Food Shelf of Second Harvest in Grand Rapids

Red Lake Nation

Deer River Area Food Shelf

Cass Lake Food Shelf

Hubbard County Food Shelf-Park Rapids

Trinity Lutheran Food Shelf of Laporte

Northome Area Food Shelf

Walker Food Shelf

Falls Hunger Coalition of International Falls

Neighbors Helping Neighbors of Nashwauk

Northern Itasca Food Shelf of Bigfork

“We’re very proud of the Cooperative Celebration and grateful to everyone that helps us put on or attends the event.  It started as our 50^th Anniversary Celebration in 2002 so this would have been the 19^th annual event.  We look forward to when we can get together again,” added Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.