Canistota Economic Development Efforts Receive Support from GW

By: jody Bielmaier, Member Services Manager

Canistota Community Foundation member, Orval Lambertz (left) receives a $5,000 economic development donation from Golden West Local Manager Rick Freemark (right).


Wall, SD— Canistota Community Foundation received a $5,000 donation from Golden West Telecommunications to boost its economic development efforts.

The funding was made available as part of Golden West’s annual economic development program created ten years ago to target funds toward projects and programs within its service areas that help create or enhance local employment opportunities. In 2006, the economic development program was extended to Canistota and other communities acquired in recent years by Golden West.

“We realize that the future of our company is dependent upon the success of individuals and businesses in communities like Canistota and that’s why we’re excited to help fund these types of projects,” said Golden West General Manager/CEO George Strandell.

The projects submitted by Canistota Community Foundation will see the funds used to update signs and repair city streets, make improvements at the ball field, and contribute to the new fire hall and truck garage.

Golden West began in 1916 as a stock company providing telephone service between the communities of Quinn and Interior, SD. The Company has grown over the years to become the largest independent telephone company in South Dakota and the 35th largest telecommunications company in the nation. The Company now employs nearly 350 people statewide offering services ranging from local and long distance telephone service, high-speed and wireless Internet, cable television, 24-hour answering service, Internet help desk, networking services, wholesale Internet services, paging and business phone systems to digital video recorders and security monitoring.