PC Magazine™ has ranked Bemidji the 8^th Best Work-From-Home City in the country.

“It is fantastic for Bemidji to be recognized as one of the best work from home cities in the nation! The all-fiber optic network we’ve built throughout the region with gigabit upload and download speeds makes it possible to effectively and efficiently work from home. Combined with our vibrant community’s many amenities, and our wonderful businesses, organizations, and people, it’s no wonder Bemidji caught the eye of PC Magazine™!” said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO/General Manager.

According to their article https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-best-work-from-home-cities-for-2021, the list contains the top 50 U.S. and 10 Canadian cities with the best combination of gigabit fiber broadband (cost and performance), affordable housing, and “remote-work-friendly” lifestyles.

“It is rewarding to see our region be recognized nationally. The investments we have made in building out an all-fiber optic communications network will serve this region for decades to come. In turn, this supports successful economic development and growth. Our team continues to do phenomenal work in keeping our members connected with the latest in technology” added Steve Howard, Paul Bunyan Communications Information Technology and Development Manager.

“It’s great timing for this recognition!  Greater Bemidji has just launched the innovative 218 Relocate program to recruit telecommuters to the Bemidji area.  We are a supporter of the program and are pleased our fiber network helps in creating economic development opportunities for our region” said Johnson.

For more information the 218Relocate program, visit https://www.218relocate.com/

Paul Bunyan Communications is excited to announce the winners of the Pick It Pro Football Challenge, a free online contest for participants to pick the winners of the 2021 Pro Football Playoff games for a chance to win a credit on a Paul Bunyan Communications account.

 Winners of the Paul Bunyan Communications Pick It Pro Football Challenge:

1^st Place- $500 credit              Brad Kuzel, Guthrie

2^nd Place- $250 credit             Jack Lundgren, Osseo

3^rd Place- $100 credit             Derek Benson, Bemidji

4^th Place- $50 credit              Michael Skipton, Puposky

5^th Place- $50 credit               Maggie Skelton, Grand Rapids

6^th Place- $50 credit               Kyle Kingbird Sr., Bemidji

7^th Place- $50 credit               Bryan Delaney, Laporte

8^th Place- $50 credit               Charles McCray, Bemidji

9^th Place- $50 credit               Duane Reichel, Park Rapids

10^th Place- $50 credit             Brett Bahr, Bemidji

100th Place Bonus Prize         Bruce Nelson, Cohasset- $100 credit

There were 425 participants registered for the Challenge.

The next Paul Bunyan Communications Pick-It Challenge is March Mania for the College Division 1 Men’s Basketball Tournament coming up in March.

Register now for the Paul Bunyan Communications Pick-it Pro Football Challenge, a free online contest for participants to pick the winners of the pro football postseason for a chance to win a up to a $500 credit on a Paul Bunyan Communications account!

The top 10 finishers will win a credit on their Paul Bunyan Communications account. First place winner will receive a $500 credit, second place is a $250 credit, third place is a $100 credit, 4-10^th place is a $50 credit, and a $100 credit will also go to whomever finishes in 100^th place.

Participants can register for the contest at http://paulbunyan.pickitchallenge.com/   Register anytime but remember to come back to make your picks before the first playoff game starts on Saturday, January 9.

The Pick-it Pro Football Challenge is a fun and free way to interact with others in northern Minnesota and enjoy a little friendly competition.  Must be 18 years of age or older. Limit one entry per person. Prizes not redeemable for cash. Void where prohibited. Some restrictions may apply. See Pick It Pro Football Challenge website for complete contest rules.

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.

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.