PAGE 3 COMPANY NEWS
TECH THE HALLS 2025
WAHP/BRECK COMPLETION
Anniversaries and New Hires. COMMON CENTS
The Ultimate Tech Gift Guide for 2025
PAGES 4-5
Five year fiber mainline project complete.
PAGES 6-7
Q2 & Q3 Common Cents Awards.
PAGE 8
2026 Scholarship project opens.
PAGE 9
PAGE 11 RED RIVER SCHOLARSHIPS
ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE
Mark Your Calendars for April 9, 2026
As the year comes to a close, I am filled with gratitude for our employees, customers, and communities. Red River Communications is more than a company; we are a close-knit team building a stronger home together.
This year has been one of remarkable progress. We completed the mainline construction for our largest project to date: delivering world-class fiber internet to the Wahpeton and Breckenridge area. It’s been inspiring to see this vision become reality and to witness the positive impact it will have on families, students, and businesses throughout our region.
And we’re not stopping there.
In 2026, we look forward to expanding our fiber network to even more communities. These projects are more than just miles of fiber; they are investments in local opportunity,
meaningful connections, and the future of rural life.
As the holidays approach, I hope you find moments to slow down, gather with loved ones, and reflect on all the good that surrounds you. This season reminds us of what truly matters: kindness, community, and the joy of being connected.
Thank you for trusting Red River Communications to keep you connected this year. Your support means everything to us. As we enter the new year, I encourage you to share the Red River difference with your friends and neighbors. Together, we can keep our communities connected and moving forward.
Sincerely,
Tom Steinolfson CEO/ General Manager
TOM STEINOLFSON CEO/ GENERAL MANAGER
“This season reminds us of what truly matters: kindness, community, and the joy of being connected.”
Red River Communications is excited to announce the hiring of Melinda Brekke as our new Chief Financial Officer.
Melinda comes to us with a strong background in finance, leadership, operations, and employee mental health wellness, making her an ideal
addition to our team and our mission to serve the cooperative. With over a decade of experience from roles at both Microsoft and Sanford Health, Melinda is passionate about helping organizations thrive.
Her collaborative approach and steady guidance will be invaluable as Red River Communications continues to expand our fiber network and enhance the services our members and customers rely on.
Melinda lives in North Moorhead with her husband and three children, two dogs, and one kitty. She enjoys reading and playing golf in her free time.
We are thrilled about the expertise and positive energy she brings to our cooperative. Please join us in welcoming Melinda to the Red River Communications family!
This fall, Red River Communications proudly celebrated the fifth anniversaries for CEO and General Manager, Tom Steinolfson, and Heidi Foley, Plant Accountant.
Both have played vital roles in strengthening our organization and guiding us through a period of growth and innovation.
Tom has expanded our fiber footprint and deepened community partnerships, while Heidi’s expertise has ensured our financial health and project progression. Their dedication has greatly impacted our
cooperative and the communities we serve.
We thank them for their commitment and look forward to many more years of success. Please join us in congratulating Tom and Heidi on this milestone!
The holidays are here – and so are this year’s hottest tech gifts! Whether you’re shopping for a gamer, a homebody, or someone who is always on the go, Red River has you covered with our hand-picked guide to the best gadgets of the season.
the
FLAUS ELECTRIC
FLOSSER - $89
SMART MEAT THERMOMETER – Meater Plus $129.99 Whether you’re grilling, smoking, roasting, deep frying, direct heating, sous vide-ing, or baking, you can master any protein. www.meater.com
Give the gift of a great smile! This little unit makes flossing as quick, easy and comfortable as brushing. www.goflaus.com
SHOWER SPEAKERSoundcore 4 - $25
This waterproof, float-friendly speaker blasts punchy sound, survives splashes, and goes wherever their playlist leads. Amazon.com
SMART COMPOSTERFoodCycler® Eco 3™ - $499.00
The gardener in your life will love a smart composter. Small and compact, these tiny-but-mighty devices sit right on the kitchen counter and create rich compost in a matter of hours. foodcycler.com
HOME 3D PRINTER –Bambu Lab A1 Combo
$379.99 With fully automated calibration, multi-color printing with AMS lite, this is the perfect gateway to 3D printing. BestBuy.com
HOTO Laser Measuring
Tool $29.99 This creditcard-sized measurer slips into any pocket or keychain. Its minimalist aesthetic and tactile finish make it a cool gadget for DIYers & hobbyists. Amazon.com
ROG XBOX ALLY - $599.99
The gamers in your life will love the newly released ROG Xbox Ally, the highly anticipated portable gaming console from Microsoft. Bestbuy.com
POP PHONE - $39.99
RAYBAN META
SUNGLASSES - $379 The Gen 2 smart glasses blend timeless Ray-Ban style with Meta AI, letting you take photos, make calls, and more. Ray-Ban.com
More Talk, Less Scroll. POP Phone’s USB-C works with a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. We just HAD to include this one! nativeunion.com
Nex Playground - $249.00
An active entertainment system that connects to a TV and uses an AI camera to track movements for motioncontrolled games like Fruit Ninja, Whac-a-Mole, and various fitness and dance titles. Walmart.com
Join us on our Facebook and Instagram pages throughout December for a chance to win exciting holiday prizes! Make sure to download the Red River Connect Wi-Fi App for an extra chance to win.
For full contest details, go to: redrivercomm.com/tech-the-halls
Yoto Mini - $79.99
Kids use physical Yoto cards to explore the best audiobooks, music, activities and educational audio on the move. No microphone. No camera. No ads. Target.com
*All names, likenesses, and logos are copyright of its respective owners.
By: Kari Kleingartner
As the region’s local broadband provider, we’re proud to share a milestone that has been more than a decade in the making: the full completion of Red River Communications’ fiber-optic mainline network in Wahpeton and Breckenridge.
This moment represents the beginning of a new era of connectivity and opportunity for the Twin Towns. Building a world-class fiber network required time, partnerships, and a commitment to quality.
What we’ve accomplished positions Wahpeton and Breckenridge as the manufacturing and innovation hub of the southern Red River Valley. From small businesses to education and healthcare, our community now benefits from a 100% fiber-based network built for the future.
Reaching this milestone was a monumental team effort. Over the course of five years, we collaborated with contractors, engineering partners, and local leaders, ensuring that residents and businesses were informed and supported throughout the project.
Navigating older infrastructure and complex
permitting required persistence and coordination with city, county, and state partners. We are especially grateful to our Outside Plant Manager, Dennis Mitchell and to the dedicated countractors who worked tirelessly over the past five years.
“My favorite part of this job has always been connecting with people. It brings me great pride to see a home or business thrive thanks to their fiber connection and to know that our team made that possible. To me, it’s not just about the fiber in the ground; it’s about supporting our neighbors and helping this community grow, one connection at a time.”
- Dennis Mitchell, Outside Plant Manager
Today, over 11,000 homes and businesses in the Twin Towns have access to a reliable fiber network that supports essential services, including county courthouses, schools, and more. With cutting-edge technology, residents can enjoy the best internet, TV, and phone services available.
Completing the fiber mainline is a celebration— but it’s not the finish line. Our team remains committed to being the best communications provider for Wahpeton and Breckenridge, continuing to invest in a local office and staff who understand this community.
We are actively connecting apartment buildings by collaborating with owners and management companies, helping the community attract new industries that require high-capacity fiber.
“I want to express my gratitude for the trust this community has placed in us during this project. With our 100% fiber network now in place, we have a strong foundation for growth and innovation, opening up new opportunities for the Twin Towns. I truly believe the best is yet to come.”
- Tom Steinolfson, CEO/General Manager
This milestone is a testament to the power of partnership, persistence, and believing in the potential of our region. Thank you, Wahpeton and Breckenridge, for trusting us to connect your homes, your businesses, and your future.
Together, we’ll continue to build what comes next.
Help your neighbors “Go Faster with Fiber” and earn rewards at the same time! With our Fiber Friends referral program, you and your friend each receive a $100 bill credit when they sign up for service—plus you can earn up to $600 per year just for spreading the word.
Learn more about our refer-a-friend program at redrivercomm.com/fiber-friends.
Every dollar helps! Non-profit organizations are always doing more with less, so when grant or award funds come their way, it is greatly appreciated.
The Common Cents Program is proud to support the Richland Wilkin Food Pantry’s backpack program. Also, two Co-Bank Grants were awarded to local fire and rescue teams.
Received $2,500 from Common Cents for the Backpack Food Program.
Pictured: (L to R) Sharon Bladow, Diana Freese and Shirley Krump from the RW Food Pantry, and Nancy Grotluschen, Common Cents board member.
Not sure if you are contributing to Common Cents? Give us a call at 701-553-8309. We will help you find out!
Received a $4,444 from the Co-Bank Grant Program to purchase an AED unit.
Pictured: Ron German (Center) and members of the Fairmount Fire District
5,000
Received a $5,000 from the Co-Bank Grant Program
Pictured: Nathan Moen from the Colfax Fire Dept.
Red River Communications is once again offering scholarships to high school seniors who plan to pursue higher education after graduation.
The Red River Communications Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students within our service area whose parents or legal guardians are customers of RRC. Starting December 1st, eligible students can apply for one of twelve $1,000 scholarships.
This holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to encourage those graduating high school in 2026 to complete a scholarship application. It’s a meaningful gift for their future.
• GENERAL SCHOLARSHIPS
• VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP
• TECHNICAL SCHOLARSHIP
• AGRICULTURAL SCHOLARSHIP
Join us for a delicious meal, exciting demonstrations, kid’s activities, a brief business meeting, and door prizes! All members and their families are welcome. No RSVP is necessary.
If you’re interested in being nominated for the Red River Communications Board of Directors, collect signatures and submit your petition by March 8, 2026
Three districts are up for election, and the following incumbent directors are seeking re-election.
District 2: Barnesville – Wayne Schindler
District 5: Kent – Gary Boutiette
District 9: Lidgerwood/Wyndmere – Jan Schmit
To obtain an election petition or for more information about the election process, please call the Red River Communications office at 701-553-8309.
Nominees must:
• Be a member of the exchange they would represent.
• Currently lives in exchange they would represent & have lived there for at least 90 days in the last 12 months.
• Not a current or past employee.
• No financial conflict of interest in other ventures.
• Not convicted of a federal or state crime.
• Not closely related to a board member or current employee.
• Be willing to attend monthly, state, and national meetings as required.
After the upcoming annual meeting, we will start celebrating our 75th anniversary. Our team is currently compiling historical photos and information.
If you or someone you know has any relevant materials to share, please email us at support@redrivercomm. com or call our office at 701-553-8309 and ask for Kari Kleingartner or Donna Thiel. Thank you for your assistance!
Our team is compiling the next phone directory, which will be published and mailed to current landline phone customers in January 2026.
If you would like to opt of receiving a printed copy of the phone book, please call our office at 701-553-8309. A digital version of the phone book will be available at redriverphonebook.com
TV RATE INCREASES - COMING JANUARY 2026: Red River is currently in negotiations regarding TV rate increases, as well as relocating some of our channels from the Premiere Package to the Choice Package. Changes will be communicated on your January 2026 bill.
NEED HELP PAYING YOUR BILL? ASK ABOUT LIFELINE: Lifeline is a federal program dedicated to making phone and internet service more affordable for low-income households. This benefit provides eligible consumers with a monthly discount of up to $9.25. To determine if you qualify, visit www.lifelinesupport.org
Holiday 2025
Volume 10, Issue 4
The Red River Communications CONNECT newsletter is published quarterly and distributed free of charge to our members and customers in North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota.
Harlan Deike President
District 4 - Great Bend
Rhonda Erbes Vice-President
District 3 - Colfax
Gary Boutiette
Secretary/Treasurer
District 5 - Kent
Tim Viland
District 1 - Abercrombie
Wayne Schindler
District 2 - Barnesville
Joe Pikarski
District 6 - Mooreton
Jerry Janssen
District 7 - Rollag
Ron German
District 8 - Fairmount/Hankinson
Jan Schmit
District 9 - Lidgerwood/ Wyndmere
Red River Communications 510 Broadway | PO Box 136 Abercrombie, ND 58001
7925 180th Ave SE Wahpeton, ND 58075
Questions? Service issues? Call 866-553-8309
RED RIVER CONNECT is produced by the Red River Communications Team.
Contributors include: Kari Kleingartner, Tom Steinolfson, Katelyn Welle, and Donna Thiel
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
