Strata Networks has received the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association’s (NTCA) Smart Rural Community (SRC) Showcase Award, recognizing rural broadband providers that use advanced networks to strengthen their communities and improve quality of life.
The award highlights Strata’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities through broadband connectivity, scholarships, workforce development initiatives, and partnerships with local educational institutions.
Among the many initiatives recognized by NTCA was Strata’s partnership with Uintah Basin Technical College (UBTech) to develop IT, networking, and cybersecurity training programs that create direct pathways to technology careers in the Uintah Basin. This partnership was established in 2018 and has proven to help prepare students for high-demand fields, ultimately creating a stronger workforce pipeline that contributes to long-term economic growth in the Basin.
Strata Networks CEO/General Manager Bruce Todd accepted the award during the NTCA Fall Conference, where rural broadband leaders from across the nation gather to celebrate innovation and community impact.
“Education is one of the most important investments we can make in the future of our communities,” said Manager Todd. “We’re proud that our efforts to connect students with educational and career opportunities designed for a technology-driven world has been recognized through the Smart Rural Community Program.”
NTCA’s Smart Rural Community program is a national network of communities supported by broadband providers dedicated to using technology to enhance education, healthcare, economic development, and quality of life. During the award ceremony, NTCA CEO Mark Romano stated that the recipients of the SRC Showcase Awards are providers who “demonstrate what it means to connect and serve rural America, both with innovation and heart.”
Strata has been a proud member of the Smart Rural Community program for several years. For decades, the cooperative has invested in building and maintaining advanced broadband infrastructure, ensuring individuals, businesses, schools, and community organizations have access to reliable, high-speed connectivity. Those investments continue to support educational achievement, workforce readiness, and economic vitality across the communities Strata serves.
“This award reinforces the important role broadband providers can play in creating opportunities for students, businesses, families, and entire communities,” Todd said. “We are honored to receive this recognition and remain committed to investing in the people and communities we serve.”
About Strata: Headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah, Strata is the largest independent telecommunications cooperative in Utah. For more than 75 years, Strata has connected communities through innovative communications services, including fiber broadband, wireless, and business solutions. Guided by a cooperative spirit, Strata works closely with local governments, businesses, schools, and community organizations to invest in infrastructure, strengthen local partnerships, and improve quality of life throughout the areas it serves. Learn more at stratanetworks.com.
