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, 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.

As more customers look to Paul Bunyan Communications for fast reliable internet and entertainment options, the cooperative is pleased to announce its new relationship with DIRECTV.  Your DIRECTV service can run over your GigaZone Internet & WiFi service, there is no longer a satellite dish required!

As a retailer of DIRECTV, Paul Bunyan Communications GigaZone broadband customers can watch local, national and premium channels anytime, anywhere on their phone, tablet or television. https://paulbunyan.net/residential/internet/gigazone-streaming/

“We have heard the call for a convenient way to use our fast, reliable internet for subscription streaming services, local channels and thousands of on demand titles all in one place. This service also provides access to more than 7000 apps, like HBO Max, Netflix, and Prime Video on an exclusive DIRECTV Gemini device.” said Leo Anderson, Paul Bunyan Communications Chief Technology officer.

DIRECTV packages start at 90+ channels for the basic package with the premium package offering more than 185+ channels. All packages come with local ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC affiliates (where available) and all packages include premium channels for 3 months free, like HBO Max, SHOWTIME and more. DIRECTV is available to all Paul Bunyan Communications residential internet subscribers.

Paul Bunyan Communications is offering a series of free training sessions to help members better understand how streaming video works, explore the various streaming options, and how to get started. Whether members are new to streaming or simply looking to choose the best options for their viewing preferences, the cooperative’s local team will provide hands-on guidance. To see the free class schedule and sign up visit https://paulbunyan.net/pbc-academy/ 

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.

Paul Bunyan Communications has completed our 2025 expansion projects across parts of Itasca and St. Louis Counties.

Itasca County:

City of Coleraine- COMPLETED.  Network is operational and services are now available.

Bearville(s) Township- COMPLETED.  Network is operational and services are now available.

City of Bovey- COMPLETED.  Network is operational and services are now available.

St. Louis County:

Sandy Pike, & Wuori Township- COMPLETED.  Network is operational and services are now available.

Alango, Angora, & Owens Township- COMPLETED.  Network is operational and services are now available.

French Township- COMPLETED.  Network is operational and services are now available.

Balkan Township- COMPLETED.  Network is operational and services are now available.

Great Scott Township & unorganized township north of Great Scott- COMPLETED.  Network is operational and services are now available.

Sign Up Now for Fiber Optic Connection
Residents and businesses in these expansion areas that have not signed up for service yet can do so at anytime.  We will come back to install the fiber optic connection up to the location when feasible and with no construction fee. Service applications can be done online, by phone, or in person at our Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center.

Services Available Upon Completion

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.

Please note that our offices will be opening at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 19.

That is 1/2 hour later than our regular opening time of 8 a.m.

Service interruption of some individual channels on Paul Bunyan Television may occur during the afternoon hours through March 15 due to solar interference.

During the interference, your PBTV service reception may range from minor sparkles to loss of reception or picture freezing for 10-15 minutes.

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 March 15.

As a cooperative, Paul Bunyan Communications is governed by a seven-person member-elected Board of Directors.  In 2026, there are two Board of Directors positions up for election representing Districts 3 and 8.

Article III, Section 3 of your Cooperative’s Bylaws requires any member interested in serving as a Director to submit a candidate packet to the Cooperative headquarters by the application deadline date.  This enables the Cooperative to properly verify the eligibility of all candidates to serve as a member of the Board if elected.

District 3

The current director for District 3 is Tracy Mistic-Schaar and she was the only applicant.  As a result, her uncontested director re-election to the board for District 3 will be ratified by the members at the annual meeting.

District 8; In-person Caucus

The current director for District 8 is Board Vice-President Jim Sutton and he did not apply for re-election.  Two cooperative members from District 8 applied for the position, Carrie Scott and Becky Haskell.  As a result, a District 8 in-person Caucus will be held.  All members within District 8 will be notified of the Caucus meeting by mail.

The purpose of the in-person Caucus is to select two pre-qualified candidates to seek election to be the district’s representative on the Paul Bunyan Communications Board of Directors to serve a five-year term through 2031.  The Caucus votes will be tallied and listed on the general membership ballot.

The names of two candidates are listed on the ballot to be voted on by the general membership of the Cooperative.  Votes are tallied and then announced at the Annual Meeting, scheduled for May 20, 2026.  The candidate with the greatest number of votes from the general membership is elected as the Director for District 8.

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

As a cooperative, Paul Bunyan Communications is governed by a seven-person member-elected Board of Directors.  In 2026, there are two Board of Director positions up for election representing Districts 8 and District 3.  To see what areas each District represents, check our Cooperative District Map here

Article III, Section 3 of your Cooperative’s Bylaws requires any member interested in serving as a Director to submit a completed candidate packet to the Cooperative headquarters at least 25 business days prior to the Caucus Election date.  This enables the Cooperative to properly verify the eligibility of all candidates to serve as a member of the Board if elected.  Members interested can find the candidate application packet and related information online at https://paulbunyan.net/cooperative/documents/

The deadline for completed Director-candidate packets to be returned to the Cooperative is 3 p.m. Tuesday, February 10.

If there are less than two pre-qualified candidates seeking election to the Board of Directors from the same district (an uncontested district election), no in-person Caucus Meeting and Caucus Election for that district will be held.

If there are two or more pre-qualified candidates seeking election from the same district, the in-person Caucus Meeting will be held and all members residing within the district will be notified by mail of the date, time, and location.  The purpose of the in-person Caucus is to select two pre-qualified candidates to seek election/re-election to be the district’s representative on the Paul Bunyan Communications Board of Directors. Directors serve a five-year term through 2031.

The current director for District 8 is Board Vice-President Jim Sutton and he will not be seeking re-election.

The current director for District 3 is Tracy Mistic-Shaar and she has expressed her intent to seek re-election.

Based on the results of any contested Caucus Election, the names of two candidates are listed on the ballot to be voted on by the general membership of the Cooperative.  Votes are tallied and announced at the Annual Meeting, scheduled for May 20, 2026.  The candidate with the greatest number of votes from the general membership is elected/re-elected as the Director for such district.