Four years ago, Centranet, Central Rural Electric Cooperative’s fiber subsidiary, connected its first subscriber. That first connection was a milestone that symbolized so much more than a new internet service; it symbolized connection. For many members, Centranet’s service was the first time they’d ever had access to high-speed internet.
Bridging the digital divide for Central members was core to the cooperative’s mission. When Central’s board voted to launch the fiber project, the goal was to deliver fast, reliable internet to those who had little to no access, similar to how the cooperative started with access to electricity in the 1930s.
Expected to take 5-7 years, Centranet became available to all members in March 2024, more than a full year ahead of schedule.
Today, more than 10,000 Central members are subscribers, and the service has expanded beyond Central’s lines, bringing highspeed internet to the underserved communities of Agra, Carney, Luther, Ripley and Wellston.
AN IMPACTED BUSINESS
Centranet isn’t just transforming households, it’s powering local businesses too. One of Centranet’s subscribers, Buffalo Rock Golf and Venue, has relied on Centranet since the service became available. Located near Cushing in a beautiful area with rolling hills and a scenic private lake, Buffalo Rock offers a full 18-hole course.
service, and they even offer a guest Wi-Fi for customers and at their onsite Airbnb property.
Buffalo Rock is more than just a golf course. The venue space hosts birthday parties, baby showers, weddings and other events with a guest capacity of up to 300. Having fast, reliable internet is now a part of that experience.
Shannon Clovis, Director of Venue at Buffalo Rock said that more than 80 percent of sales require internet
Buffalo Rock is open to the public. Learn more about Buffalo Rock on their website buffalorockcushing.com or their Facebook page.
“Having high-speed internet is fantastic,” Clovis said. “It makes business sense to have high-speed internet; you’re missing out without it.”
What began with a single connection has grown into a powerful network of subscribers, businesses and communities that now have access to high-speed internet. While this four-year anniversary is worth celebrating, Centranet isn’t finished.
Centranet remains committed to delivering the same trusted, reliable services that Central members expect and deserve. Stay tuned for more updates by following Centranet on Facebook and Instagram @CentranetFiber.
AUGUST 2025
Central Board of Trustees:
James Wells, President (District 6)
Sid Sperry, Vice President (District 4)
Greg Tytenicz, Secretary/Treasurer (District 2)
Randy Wedel (District 1)
Melanie McGuire (District 3)
Ken Starks (District 5)
Randy Ethridge (District 7)
Executive Team:
Shane Burgess - Chief Executive Officer
Sondra White - Chief Financial Officer
Mark Prather - President of Fiber and Technology
Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing
Empowered Editors: Larry Mattox - Director of Communications
Kory Bowman - Marketing and Communications Specialist
Ivy Swan - Marketing and Communications Specialist
YOUTH TOUR TAKES ON WASHINGTON, D.C.
Each year, Central hosts a contest for high school juniors living within Central’s service area to attend Youth Tour at our nation’s capital.
This year Kimberly Ellis from Pawnee and Conlan Filleman from Guthrie were selected as winners. They visited Washington, D.C. in June with other winners from cooperatives across Oklahoma.
Central’s Marketing and Communications Specialist, Kory Bowman, joined the week-long trip as a chaperone.
“It was an incredible experience, and I loved seeing Oklahoma represented at our Capitol,” Bowman said. “My favorite part of the trip was watching our youth take such an interest in our national political environment and history.”
Ellis, Filleman and Bowman met U.S. Senators, visited national
monuments, historical sights, Smithsonian museums and cruised the Potomac River on a river boat dinner cruise.
The participants competed against other high school juniors in an essay contest. The top five finalists were interviewed with Ellis and Filleman winning the week-long, all-expensepaid trip, and the three runnerup applicants receiving $1,000 scholarships.
The Youth Tour competition for 2026 will open to high school juniors on Sept. 1.
Those interested in applying or who want to learn more can do so at mycentral.coop/youthtourinterest or by scanning the QR code.
3305 S. Boomer Rd. | P.O. Box 1809 Stillwater, OK 74076 mycentral.coop facebook.com/MyCentralCoop instagram.com/MyCentralCoop
Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
YOUTH POWER ENERGY CAMP
Fletcher Inman from Mulhall and Tayler Roach from Coyle were selected as winners of the Youth Power Energy Camp competition hosted by Central and attended the camp in May.
The four-day summer camp is designed to help students with leadership development through interactive team-building activities.
Cooperatives across Oklahoma sponsored students to attend. Participants learned about rural electrification and electrical safety, climbed a pole in lineman hooks and rode in a bucket truck.
Central’s Director of Communications, Larry Mattox,
attended with Central’s delegates as a camp counselor.
“Returning to Energy Camp as a counselor is an unforgettable experience,” Mattox said. “Getting to watch two students from Central’s service area learn and step out of their comfort zones was inspiring.”
Energy camp opens in February to current and incoming eighth-grade students.
Learn more at mycentral.coop/youth-programs or by scanning the QR code.
BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY TIPS
As kids trade swimsuits for school supplies, it’s a great time for a refresher on electrical safety. Whether your child is riding the bus or heading off to college, these safety tips can help keep everyone safe around electricity this school year.
⚠ Transformers are not toys! Those big green boxes in yards are not jungle gyms. They’re full of high-voltage electricity. Keep at least 10 feet away.
⚠ Don’t turn your outlet into a lava lamp. Plugging too many things into one outlet can cause a meltdown. One plug per socket is crucial to your safety.
⚠ Running cords under rugs can seem like a smart decorating choice, but it’s also a fire hazard.
⚠ Be sure to teach your young children to always check with an adult before plugging something into an electrical outlet.
⚠ While trees can be fun to climb, if they’re too close or below power lines, they’re off limits. Power lines can hurt you even if you don’t touch them directly.
KILOWATTS AND BRATS IS RESCHEDULED
While Mother Nature had other plans in June, we’re not letting a few storms ruin our parade, or Kilowatts and Brats.
We’ve rescheduled the muchanticipated event and are bringing back all the fun, food and yes, even Cowboy Jim. Below are some frequently asked questions to help you navigate the new date and all the excitement headed your way.
WHAT IS KILOWATTS AND BRATS?
It’s a chance for members to visit with Central’s staff and trustees, learn about the cooperative, the electric industry and Centranet while enjoying bratwursts, burgers or barbecue sandwiches.
I RSVP’D FOR JUNE, DO I NEED TO RSVP AGAIN?
Yes! RSVPs are needed to ensure there is enough food for every attendee and guest. Past RSVPs are nulled. Scan the QR code or visit mycentral.coop to RSVP.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS SEVERE WEATHER AGAIN?
Central will ensure all updates are included on the Kilowatts and Brat’s webpage, Central’s social media channels and will send communications to those who have RSVP’d for the event.
CAN I ATTEND IF I DIDN’T RSVP LAST TIME?
Yes! Every Central member is invited to attend the event, and we’d love to have you there. Make sure to RSVP!
WHAT’S THE NEW DATE AND TIME OF THE EVENT?
Stillwater’s event will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 6 p.m. at Central’s headquarters, 3305 S. Boomer Rd., Stillwater. Chandler’s event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m. at Tilghman Park, 720 Park Rd., Chandler.
WHERE DO I RSVP?
RSVP by scanning the QR code or at mycentral.coop.
