Rick Freemark (right) of Golden West Telecommunications presents a $5000 economic development donation to Jeremy Menning (left), President of the Hartford Area Development Corporation (left) .

Hartford Benefits from Golden West Funding

By: jody Bielmaier

Wall, SD – The Hartford Area Development Corporation recently received a $5,000 donation from Golden West Telecommunications to boost its economic development efforts.

The funding, which was made available as part of Golden West’s 2008 Economic Development Program, is intended to direct funds toward projects and programs within its service areas that help create or enhance local employment opportunities. The contribution brings the total received by the Hartford Area Development Corporation over the past three years to $15,000.

The 2008 projects submitted by the Hartford Area Development Corporation earmarks the funds to help hire an economic development coordinator who will plan, organize and implement an economic development program. “We understand that the future of Golden West rests upon the success of communities like Hartford and that’s why we’re excited to help fund this project,” said Golden West General Manager Denny Law.

Golden West started out in 1916 providing telephone service between the communities of Quinn and Interior, SD. Today, the Company and its subsidiaries deliver telecommunications services, including Internet and cable television, to approximately 42,000 customers in over 20 counties. Golden West is the largest independent telecommunications company in South Dakota.