Big things happening at MTA

Nearly a year ago, I became the Chief Executive Officer of MTA. I have thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity, meeting new people, hearing why MTA is a unique company and the value our members see in doing business with MTA. I am very happy to share with you that your cooperative is doing well and big things are happening at MTA.

Recently, we mailed Capital Credit checks totaling over $6 Million to our member-owners. This is the largest single capital credit payment we have distributed to date. Cumulatively we have provided nearly $41 Million back to our members. That’s a substantial amount of money that stays right here and keeps our communities strong.

As a cooperative, MTA is very different from our competitors. We are the cornerstone of the communities we serve, and our customers are our owners. At MTA our Vision is for our members to have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of living in healthy, economically successful and socially responsible communities. That is why our cooperative is much more than a company in our communities.

MTA is a major contributor to the local economy with over 300 good paying local jobs. As members, you can be proud to know that we invest in our system – we will be investing over $21 Million in building out MTA’s fiber network this year.

I am also happy to share that in December we purchased AlasConnect, a profitable managed IT, cyber security and software development company, with Data Centers in Fairbanks and Anchorage. This acquisition greatly enhances the products and services our business customers want and need. AlasConnect further strengthens MTA as a technology company and it diversifies MTA’s revenue stream, providing business customers with another reliable provider for their communication services. The purchase includes a robust fiber network serving the Fairbanks area as well.

Early this year, MTA also created a new scholarship program and issued $50,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors and students from our area that support their continuing education. We look forward to providing scholarships for many years to come, so that students can enhance their skills and come back home to work and live in our communities.

Lastly, I want to thank you for supporting and voting in our deregulation campaign earlier this year. Your vote helps save you, our member-owners, money and removes unnecessary bureaucracy. I am excited about the future of MTA and we all want to thank you for your business. Your patronage and ongoing support will keep your cooperative strong.

Michael Burke is chief executive officer at Matanuska Telephone Association. This column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman or its parent company, Wick Communications.