Paul Bunyan Communications Payout To Members Is Not A Tall Tale

The reasons why municipalities and cooperatives build community-owned broadband networks are numerous, often fueled by years of frustration with the spotty, expensive service offered by the big monopoly incumbents. In northern Minnesota, we came across yet another example of why an increasing number of localities are finding publicly-owned, locally-controlled telecommunication infrastructure so appealing: the “profits” don’t get funneled into the pockets of distant shareholders but are instead reinvested back into the local economy. In the case of Paul Bunyan Communications, the “profits” are shared with its members. The Bemidji-based telephone cooperative announced it is returning over $3 million to its members in 2024. For members with an allocation of $100 or less, the cooperative is offering a credit on their August bill. For members with an allocation of $100 or more, the cooperative is sending those members checks for their proportional share.