2021 Scholarship Opportunities from Paul Bunyan Communications
Paul Bunyan Communications is committed to the communities we serve and provides annual scholarships to local students within our service territory. We also offer local students the chance to apply for one statewide industry scholarship and one national industry scholarship. If you are a current high school senior or a student at one of the local post-secondary institutions, you can apply to win a Paul Bunyan Communications Scholarship!
High School Scholarships
Each year, our cooperative provides at least 2 scholarships to 12 area high schools within or near our service territory. The application process, winners, and distribution of funds are handled by each high school independent of Paul Bunyan Communications.
Paul Bunyan Communications Scholarships are available at Bemidji High School, Bigfork High School, Blackduck High School, Cass Lake High School, Deer River High School, Grand Rapids High School, Kelliher High School, Laporte High School, Northome High School, Park Rapids High School, Red Lake High School, and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School
To apply for the Paul Bunyan Communications Scholarship at one of these high schools, please speak to the school counselor or career service office.
Post-Secondary Scholarships
In addition to High School Scholarships, Paul Bunyan Communications provides scholarship opportunities to the following post secondary institutions: Bemidji State University, Northwest Technical College, Itasca Community College, Red Lake Nation College, Leech Lake Tribal College, and Oak Hills Christian College.
There are several scholarships annually available to students attending Bemidji State University that are current members of Paul Bunyan Communications or a parent/legal guardian is a member. Applications are available in the BSU Admissions Office.
One scholarship is awarded annually to a NTC student that is a current member or who has a parent/legal guardian that is a member of Paul Bunyan Communications. Applications are available in the NTC Admissions office or online at www.NTCmn.edu under scholarships.
One scholarship is awarded annually at Itasca Community College, Red Lake Nation College, Leech Lake Tribal College and Oak Hills Christian College to a student that is a current member or who has a parent/legal guardian that is a member of Paul Bunyan Communications.
To apply for the Paul Bunyan Communications Scholarship at one of these post-secondary institutions, speak to the Admissions or Career Service office at the school you attend.
Minnesota Telecom Alliance Foundation Scholarship
Paul Bunyan Communications participates in the MTA’s scholarship program which awards five $2,000 scholarships to Minnesota high school seniors each year.
The application for 2021 can be downloaded at https://www.mnta.org/page/Scholarship and must be turned in to Paul Bunyan Communications no later than February 19, 2021.
A telecom alliance panel reviews each application and selects the finalists based on applicants’ grades, academic achievements and extra-curricular activities. Preference to receive the scholarships is given to students who have an interest in telecommunications technology and rural communities.
The Foundation is part of the Minnesota Telecom Alliance, a trade organization representing 86 telephone companies and cooperatives in the state.
Foundation for Rural Service Scholarship
Paul Bunyan Communications participates in the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) scholarship program which awards 30 $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors throughout the country each year.
Applications can also be downloaded from the FRS web site at https://www.frs.org/programs/youth-programs/scholarships
Completed applications should be sent directly to FRS, postmarked no later than March 5, 2021. Applications postmarked to FRS after this date will NOT be accepted.
Please note the applicant or their parent/legal guardian must be a member of Paul Bunyan Communications (PBC) Cooperative to apply through PBC and that a signature of a PBC employee is required to be considered eligible.
Established in 1994, FRS, in cooperation with the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), seeks to sustain and enhance the quality of life throughout Rural America by advancing an understanding of rural telecommunications issues. In keeping with its mission, furthering the education of rural youth is one of the foundation’s primary focuses. Our cooperative, Paul Bunyan Communications, is a member of NTCA and is proud to support FRS in this worthy endeavor.
Sign up now for the Paul Bunyan Communications Pick It Pro Football Challenge! Games start Saturday, January 9
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, 4-10th place is a $50 credit, and a $100 credit will also go to whomever finishes in 100th 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.
Holiday Office Closures
Paul Bunyan Communications Partners with Pinnacle Marketing Group on Paul Bunyan Television Advertising
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.
Itasca County Approves CARES Act Funding for Broadband Expansion to Northern Nashwauk and areas south of Pokegama Lake
At their October 20 meeting, the Itasca County Board of Commissioners approved CARES Act funding to help support Paul Bunyan’s fiber broadband expansion into northern Nashwauk, the Bozich Addition subdivision, and areas of south of Pokegama Lake on Gama Beach, North Gama Beach, and South Gama Beach Roads!
Project Design and engineering work will begin right away. Due to the early freezing weather, services won’t be available until 2021.
2020 Annual Meeting By Mail Ballot Held June 24
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.
Paul Bunyan Communications Returns Capital Credits Early; Over $4.1 Million Distributed, Largest in Cooperative History
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.
HBO Max Now Available; Included with HBO subscription through PBTV
HBO Max, the new streaming service from HBO, is now available through Paul Bunyan Communications.
If you have an HBO subscription as part of your PBTV service, HBO Max is now included at no extra charge!
To access HBO Max, current HBO subscribers can:
• Download the HBO Max App or visit HBO Max Login
• Click “Sign In” (browser) or click the “Person” icon (app)
• Tap “Already Subscribed? Sign In”
• Choose “Sign In through a TV or mobile provider”
• Select Paul Bunyan Communications from the alphabetized drop down
• Sign in using your PBTV Everywhere account credentials
• Set up profiles and stream
If you do not currently subscribe to HBO, there are 2 ways you can get HBO Max from Paul Bunyan Communications:
Add HBO to your PBTV service for $19.95 per month. This subscription includes access to HBO TV networks and HBO Max.
or
Add just HBO Max Streaming Service for $15 per month. No subscription to PBTV is needed. This subscription only includes online access to HBO Max Streaming Service
Iconic, genre-defining shows like The Sopranos®. Classic films like The Wizard of Oz, as beloved today as they were years ago. The characters of Sesame Street® that we all grew up with and continue to be our kids’ favorites. HBO Max is home to the movies and shows that are truly the best in entertainment.
HBO Max and related service marks are the property of WarnerMedia Direct, LLC. All rights reserved.
Annual Meeting Exclusively by Mail Ballot June 24
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.
2020 Cooperative Celebration Canceled; Cooperative Donates $100,000 To Area Food Shelves
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 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2002 so this would have been the 19th annual event. We look forward to when we can get together again,” added Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.