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Grain Management-Backed Great Plains Communications Acquires USA Communications

Grain Management-Backed Great Plains Communications Acquires USA Communications

BLAIR, Nebraska, October 1, 2021 – Great Plains Communications (GPC), a Midwestern telecommunications provider with a growing, privately-owned 13,500+ mile fiber network touching 13 states, backed by Grain Management, LLC (Grain), announced today that it has completed the acquisition of USA Communications, a growth-oriented provider headquartered in Kearney, Nebraska.

“We are excited to announce the acquisition of this impressive company founded by Chris Hilliard that has been focused on growth and technology advancement in the communities it serves since 1995,”said Todd Foje, CEO of Great Plains Communications. “The USA Communications fiber footprint is a positive addition to our current network and will allow us to reach more business and residential customers in thriving areas of Nebraska and Colorado. In addition, we will work with our partners at Grain Management to identify future areas for targeted GPC expansion that result from these new fiber assets as we continue on our path of growth to bring fiber-driven services to as many areas as possible and to contribute to the nation’s fiber-for-all initiatives.”

USA Communications was founded by Hilliard to meet the growing demand for fiber in central Nebraska and Colorado. The company provides fiber-driven services including managed Ethernet, high-speed internet, streaming video and voice to its residential and business customer base. With the acquisition now closed, GPC will initially focus on enhancing and building out the USA Communications network to bring fiber-driven services to more businesses and homes in Kearney, Grand Island and other Nebraska communities.

Mr. Hilliard, CEO of USA Communications had this to say: “As with any family, there are stages in life where, with great excitement, inner nervousness and perhaps even a little fear we must take a step to continue to grow. It is time for me to hand off the baton to our industry leading teammates at Great Plains Communications. I am excited and confident that they will extend USA’s current market leading role in all its communities. Godspeed!”

“We are delighted to welcome USA Communications to the Great Plains Communications family,”said Chad Crank, Managing Director at Grain. “With this extended fiber footprint, we look forward to driving and accelerating GPC’s growth and innovation in fiber services and quality.”

The companies entered into a definitive agreement in the third quarter of 2021. The acquisition was officially completed on September 30 following the completion of all regulatory approvals. Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. B. Riley Securities served as exclusive financial advisor to USA Communications.