Hill Country Telephone Cooperative (HCTC) has announced a significant investment in the communities it serves, donating $10,000 to each of the 26 schools across its footprint. The cooperative, which provides telecommunications services from Ingram to Fredericksburg and out to Big Lake, including Mason, Sonora, Junction, and El Dorado, is also deepening its engagement with students through events like Hill Country Venture Fest. The news was discussed on a recent episode of The Building Texas Show, where host Justin McKenzie spoke with Madysen McDonald of HCTC about the cooperative's community-focused initiatives. The full conversation is available on the episode page titled How Texas Youth Are Changing The Game at VentureFest.
The $10,000 per-school donation comes at a time when many rural communities face resource constraints. McDonald explained that HCTC decided the time was right to give back. "There's a lot of communities right now that need it," she said, adding that the co-op is "really excited to see how they can use that money to help them and help their students." The funds could support a range of educational needs, from classroom supplies to extracurricular programs, though specific uses will be determined by each school. For readers in these areas, the donations may translate into enhanced educational opportunities for local students.
Beyond financial support, HCTC is visible at community events. On Friday nights, the cooperative sets up a tent near the ticket gate at football games such as Comfort vs. Ingram and Mason vs. Junction, handing out trinkets and prizes to fans on both sides. McDonald noted that children are especially excited to visit, often telling staff, "Hey, my parents have HCTC. We love you." This grassroots approach helps the co-op connect with younger members and reinforce its local presence.
HCTC's commitment extends to fostering student entrepreneurship. McKenzie, who emceed Hill Country Venture Fest in Mason, said that pitching a business in front of hundreds of people builds resilience. McDonald shared his enthusiasm: "I can't wait to see how these kids' brains are working." The event aligns with the cooperative's broader mission to support the communities it serves, which include areas where HCTC provides fiber and fixed wireless internet, as well as traditional landline service. McKenzie noted that landlines remain crucial when cell service fails and someone needs to call 911.
As a cooperative, HCTC is owned by its members and rooted in the communities it serves. McDonald emphasized that employees live in the same towns, seeing members at grocery stores and T-ball games. "The best way to give back to HCTC is to show up at its events and stay connected," she said. For those interested in learning more about HCTC's services, more information is available at Hill Country Telephone Cooperative. The cooperative spirit, as McKenzie closed, means that when business is local, money goes back into the community's kids, teams, and events like Hill Country Venture Fest. This announcement underscores the role of rural cooperatives in sustaining local education and community vitality.
