The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

Officials with Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company were guests at a coffee hour co-sponsored by the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce and the Summerland Advocate-Messenger, Friday, May 7, at 10 a.m., at The Office in Clearwater.

NNTC general manager, Pat McElroy, introduced the company's newest employee, Barry Stearns. Stearns was recently hired to serve as the combination technician in the Clearwater and Bartlett areas of NNTC's service territory. McElroy also introduced Melissa Lanzourakis, the company's marketing manager.

McElory spoke about the investment the company has made to the entire fiber network, which serves about 5,500 customers across northeast Nebraska. McElory explained why communication services delivered by a fiber optic are superior to wireless internet service providers and satellite.

McElroy also pointed out the amount of money NNTC has invested and paid back directly to the Clearwater/Antelope County area and customer base, just in the past 10 years:

• $153,639 paid in taxes

• $4,364,976 invested in the area for the underground fiber network

• $2,350,902 paid back to member customers in capital credits

Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company serves 315 customers in Clearwater exchange. The company was the first to bring phone service to Clearwater in 1958 and is one of only seven telephone cooperatives in Nebraska. NNTC has been a member of the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce since 2004.