Mellette County Economic Development Efforts Receive Support from GW

By: Jody Bielmaier, Member Services Manager

Wall, SD— Mellette County Chamber of Commerce 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 to target funds toward projects and programs within its service areas that help create or enhance local employment opportunities. The 2007 contribution brings the total amount received over the past decade by Mellette County Chamber of Commerce to $50,000.

“Our future as a company is tied directly to the success of the rural communities we serve, and that’s why we’re excited to help fund these projects in Mellette County,” said Golden West General Manager/CEO George Strandell.

The projects submitted by Mellette County Chamber of Commerce will see the funds used to continue restoration at the Mellette County Museum and Library Complex and further support the Enterprise Facilitation project.

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.