state’s largest broadband cooperative, servicing 6,000 square miles (9,656 square kilometers) in Northwestern and North Central Minnesota. “Since 1952, our mission has been to deliver critical communication services not offered by other providers,” says Gary Johnson, CEO, and General Manager of Paul Bunyan Communications. Supporting remote workers and companies that use extreme data amounts, PBC future-proofs technology, giving Bemidji a competitive national advantage in broadband and speed. Fiber is state-of-the-art technology and a farreaching goal for some communities, but Paul Bunyan has installed nothing else since 2004. Johnson states, “Our decision to prioritize the new fiber technology 20 years ago was a bold and successful strategy.” In 2014, the member-owned cooperative rolled out GigaZone, which offers unprecedented 10 Gbps download speeds. “Over the last few years, we have invested $20 million in fiber. It started here in Bemidji, our hometown,” states Johnson. PBC provided complimentary broadband to 180 families during COVID-19. It also established a dozen freeWi-Fi hotspots for residents beyond the network’s reach. This initiative ensured internet connectivity for distance learning and telecommuting. Bemidji native and entrepreneur Erik Hokuf, General Manager of AirCorps Aviation, founded the third financial stimulus. AIRCORPS AVIATION: A HOMETOWN BOY GIVES BACK AirCorps Aviation (ACA) specializes in the restoration, maintenance, and rebuilding of vintage World War II (WWII) aircraft. Since 2011, Bemidji native Hokuf and three other restoration experts, have manufactured parts for all WWII airplane types, current military craft, commercial airliners, and every industry segment.This internationally recognized, award-winning enterprise is celebrated for its unwavering commitment to authenticity and unparalleled craftsmanship. 34 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 03
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