Bridgewater Development Efforts Receive Support from GW

By: Jody Bielmaier, Customer Services, Manager

Bridgewater Development Corporation member, Paul Richards (left) receives a $5,000 economic development donation from Golden West Local Manager Rick Freemark (right).


Wall, SD—Bridgewater Development Corporation 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 Bridgewater and other communities acquired in recent years by Golden West.

“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 this project in Bridgewater,” said Golden West General Manager/CEO George Strandell.

The project submitted by Bridgewater Development Corporation will see the funds used to replace the roof at Heritage Pharmacy.

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.