Paul Bunyan Communications will be expanding its all-fiber optic network the GigaZone®, to over 3,200 more locations in areas of Aitkin, Hubbard, Itasca, and St. Louis Counties this year.

Aitkin County

Over 2,400 locations in central Aitkin County including the cities of McGregor, Palisade, and Tamarack along with areas of Clark, Haugen, Jevne, Libby, Logan, McGregor, Shamrock, and Workman Townships.

Itasca County/St. Louis County

Over 600 locations in areas of the following townships in St Louis and Itasca County: Alango, Sturgeon, Field, Carpenter, and Unorganized Township east of Carpenter Township.  These areas are south and west of the city of Cook.

This project is made possible through the State of Minnesota, Department of Employment & Economic Development, Low-Density Population Broadband Infrastructure Development Grant Program.  This project is estimated to cost $7,810,355, with the State of Minnesota’s Low-Population Density Program grant contributing $3,924,157, Paul Bunyan Communications investing $2,203,928, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRRB) investing $1,000,000, St. Louis County investing $583,250, Alango Township $41,200, Field Township $17,800, and Sturgeon Township $40,000.

Hubbard County

Over 225 locations in southern Hubbard County including areas of Henrietta and Todd Townships south of Fishhook Lake and areas south and west of Long Lake in Hubbard Township.

This project is made possible through a USDA ReConnect Round 3 grant award. The portion of construction built with grant dollars will be an estimated $500,000.

Once the new all-fiber optic network is operational, homes and businesses can get fast, dependable GigaZone™ Internet and WiFi built to keep every device connected. Voice services, including unlimited local and long-distance will also be available. Business customers will gain access to Managed IT Business Services like VOIP, Disaster Backup and Recovery, and Network Management.

Construction will take place over the summer with services expected to be available by winter. To get connected, residents and businesses need to sign up for service before construction leaves the area. Sign up online at https://paulbunyan.net/, over the phone, or in person at our offices in Bemidji and Grand Rapids.

Paul Bunyan Communications PBC Academy offers FREE training sessions designed to help cooperative members gain confidence and skills with today’s technology. These hands-on sessions, taught by local cooperative staff, make learning simple, approachable, and fun.

PBC Academy classes are free of charge at Paul Bunyan Communications offices in Bemidji and Grand Rapids.

Current Topic: Streaming Technology featuring DIRECTV

• Grand Rapids
  • Classes held on Tuesdays
• Bemidji 
  • Classes held on Thursdays

Class sizes are limited to 10 participants and advanced online registration is required. Each session will last about an hour with additional time afterward for one-on-one learning.

In addition to the scheduled classes, PBC Academy is available for groups, organizations, or clubs interested in hosting a training session.

Future topics will be added based on member interest and feedback.

For more information or to reserve a spot in an upcoming class, visit https://paulbunyan.net/academy/ or contact academy@paulbunyan.net

We proudly serve rural areas of Park Rapids and invite you to join us Thursday, June 25 for Park Rapids 2nd Street Stage in downtown Park Rapids from 6-8 p.m.

Enjoy the music of Indecent Proposal and be sure to stop by our table to pick up a free gift while supplies last. There is also a beer garden and door prizes.

Bring your own lawn chair and we’ll see you there!

Our offices will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observation of the Memorial Day Holiday.

Great news! PBTV service now includes ESPN Unlimited at no additional cost.* As long as you receive the ESPN networks as part of your TV subscription package, ESPN Unlimited is included— no extra charge.

With ESPN Unlimited, you can stream all ESPN networks and ESPN+ content via the ESPN website or app—anytime, anywhere. From live games to exclusive shows, it’s the ultimate sports experience.

What’s Included?

• Access to all ESPN networks and services: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, SECN, ACCN, ESPN+, ESPN on ABC, SECN+, and ACCNX.
• Coverage of NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, tennis and golf majors, WWE, SEC, ACC, Big 12 football and basketball, postseason action, and more.
• Studio shows like SportsCenter, First Take, and College GameDay.
• Live and on-demand content
• Stream ESPN content across multiple devices— including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and computers.

Get Started:

1. CLICK HERE
2. Select Your Company: From the drop-down list, choose Paul Bunyan Communications
3. Log In: Enter your PBTV Everywhere username and password.
   • If you don’t have a PBTV Everywhere account, follow the Register or Create Account instructions HERE
4. After successful login, you will see Activate ESPN Unlimited Now! Click Here at the top of the page. Select that link.
5. Sign in using your PBTV Everywhere username and password.
6. Select Agree & Activate.
7. Complete ESPN/MyDisney Setup.
   • Enter your email address and click Continue.
   • If your email is not recognized, create an account by following the on-screen directions.
   • If your email is recognized, enter your password to log in. You’ll then arrive at the ESPN website/app, where you can access ESPN Unlimited content.

Note: To access ESPN Unlimited on a different device after completing the initial setup, enter your MyDisney credentials at ESPN.com

The 2026 Annual Business Meeting for Paul Bunyan Communications was held on Wednesday, May 20 in the Lakeside Rooms of the Sanford Center in Bemidji at 3:30 p.m.

The meeting included a review of 2025 financial and operational results with presentations from Board President Randy Frisk, Chief Financial Officer Craig Boyer, and Chief Executive Officer Chad Bullock. The meeting also reviewed the 2026 Director elections in which candidates in District 3 and District 8 ran unopposed.

Congratulations to the winners of the 10^th Men’s Pick-it March Mania Challenge.  587 participants entered the free online contest to pick the winners of the men’s college basketball tournament games.

The top 10 finishers all won a credit on their Paul Bunyan Communications account.

1^st Place- Judy Schill, Cass Lake             $500 credit

2^nd Place- Jerry Struss, Northome         $250 credit

3^rd Place- Laura Pogreba, Bemidji         $100 credit

4^th Place- Gail Ahrens, Grand Rapids    $50 credit

5^th Place- John Carroll, Bovey                 $50 credit

6^th Place- Christine Woodward, Tenstrike   $50 credit

7^th Place- Kathryn Faver, Bemidji           $50 credit

8^th Place- Jennifer Larson, Laporte        $50 credit

9^th Place- Amanda Waldoch , Bemidji    $50 credit

10^th Place-Heidi Simmons, Cass Lake     $50 credit

Random Prize Drawing:

Matt Rissanen, Turtle River  (402 place)    $100 Credit

Register now for the Paul Bunyan Communications Pick-it March Mania Challenge, our free online contest for participants to pick the winners for the 2026 Men’s Division 1 college basketball tournament for a chance to win a credit on your Paul Bunyan Communications account!

First place winner will receive a $500 credit, second place is a $250 credit.  There is also a random bonus prize of $100 credit from among all who register.

To sign up for the contest visit  http://paulbunyan.pickitchallenge.com/

Register anytime but remember to come back to make your picks after the tournament teams are determined on Sunday, March 15 and before the first games start on Thursday, March 19.

The Pick-it March Mania 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 per contest. Prizes not redeemable for cash. Void where prohibited. Some restrictions may apply. See Pick It March Mania Challenge website for complete contest rules.

We are excited to announce that Zivah Zebro of Solway is the winner of the cooperative’s 2026 Youth Tour Essay Contest.  Zivah is a student at Bemidji High School. She will attend the 2026 Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. June 1-5, with all expenses paid by Paul Bunyan Communications.

The trip features a comprehensive overview of the telecommunications industry, including careers in telecom, the critical role telecommunications plays in rural America, and how legislative and regulatory decisions affect the industry.  The tour allows youth to meet with members of Congress who represent rural constituents.  They also participate in educational sessions about the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  Students visit some of the nation’s most historic sites, including the Smithsonian Museums and a beautiful night tour of Washington D.C.

“The FRS Youth Tour is a unique opportunity for a local student from our area to visit Washington D.C. to gain a better perspective on how regulatory decisions impact our cooperative and rural areas.  They will also get the chance to see a lot of historic sites in our nation’s capital!” said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.

Paul Bunyan Communications has participated in sending a local high school student to the Youth Tour since 1996.  Recent Youth Tour winners include Joseph Loehlein of Turtle River (2025), Julia Frenzel of Blackduck (2024), Michael Van Horn of Blackduck (2023), and Amelia Scherling of Bemidji (2022)

The Foundation for Rural Service is dedicated to informing and improving the quality of life throughout rural America.  Each year, it organizes the Youth Tour, designed to educate rural youth about the telecommunications industry and the federal political process.  The FRS is a subsidiary of the NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association of which Paul Bunyan Communications is a member.