Midco project in Jamestown area about 60% complete
Mar. 29—Editor's note: This story and accompanying photo are advertorial content in the 2025 "Moving the Community Forward" special section of The Jamestown Sun.
JAMESTOWN — Midcontinent Communications is about 60% complete with its project to connect fiber-optic lines in Jamestown, according to Cole Mack, vice president of construction and field engineering.
He said about 4,800 lots are connected and over 3,300 lots remain for work. Mack said Midco's project should be complete this year.
Midco was granted a franchise agreement in 2021 with the city of Jamestown to construct, maintain and operate a telecommunication system for use in the city. Midco offers internet services, home phone and a variety of cable and streaming options.
So far, most of northeast Jamestown is connected as well as parts of southwest Jamestown. Midco is working in northwest Jamestown and has parts of southeast Jamestown left to connect.
"Now the overhead portion kind of throughout the core of town will all get built throughout the next few months,' Mack said. "Then we'll have our underground construction crews starting up here hopefully soon when the ground freezes or unthaws a little bit."
Homeowners will receive mailers regarding construction activity and when new services are available once an area is launched, Rhonda Erickson, senior community relations manager and executive director of the Midco Foundation.
"They may see stuff on social media that's a little bit more targeted to them," she said.
To view information on Midco's construction process and launch schedules, visit
www.midco.com/jamestown
.
Erickson said Midco is a "force for good" and has multiple ways it can help communities.
Midco does sponsorships and also has a foundation where nonprofit organizations can apply for small grants.
"They are making a difference," she said.
The Midco Foundation awarded more than $117,000 to 96 nonprofits, schools and government organizations across the Midwest in spring 2024, according to its website.
Erickson said Midco Foundation's board meets twice a year and reviews the grant applications. She said the application window for spring is closed but will open again in July and be reviewed in October.
To apply for a grant through the Midco Foundation, visit
www.midco.com
, search for "foundation" in the search bar, click the "foundation link" and hit the "apply now" button under "Apply for Grant Funding."
Midco also did sponsorships for the Jamestown Kite Festival, This Putt's for U golf tournament, a basketball doubleheader at University of Jamestown in January ,a basketball game at Jamestown High School in February and sponsored a Christmas program at the North American Bison Discovery Center.
"We do want to contribute back to our communities," she said. "We have staff that live in those communities too, and so we want to definitely show support to our team members as well."
She said being involved in the community gives Midco staff an opportunity to get to know Jamestown and its businesses and residents.
"When we're at the kite festival, you know, we were meeting several 100 people on a single day, and that's it," she said. "There are a lot of opportunities for that, and it just feels good for all of us to talk to them."
Mack agreed.
"It's common with wherever we are in a footprint, our teams are both there to support, but then also engaged and involved in those events as well," he said.
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