Message from the CEO
Milestone: 2001 General Retirements Issued
April 2026
At BEK Communications Cooperative, being a member means more than receiving great service; it means ownership. And this month, we’re proud to share an important milestone that reflects that cooperative difference: For the first time, members who joined the BEK cooperative through the former US West exchanges, acquired in 1996, will receive their first general retirement check.
Let me take you back for a moment.
In 1996, BEK purchased several US West exchanges, including Steele, Linton, Napoleon, Wishek, Lehr, and Zeeland. At the time, those customers were not cooperative members. They received service, but they did not yet share in the ownership of BEK. That changed in 2000.
Through a project called “Merge 2000,” BEK worked to bring those customers into the cooperative. Community meetings were held across the service area, and at the June 2000 Annual Meeting, members voted overwhelmingly to approve the change. As a result, those customers officially became BEK cooperative members on January 1, 2001.
Today, we are seeing the impact of that decision. The general retirement being issued this April represents the full year of 2001 - the very first year those customers were members of the cooperative. That means many of you will be receiving your first-ever general retirement check.
Twenty-five years ago, telephone service was the primary service that qualified for capital credit allocations. While our services have grown significantly throughout the years, this retirement reflects the early foundation of what BEK has become today. This moment is more than just a check in the mail; it’s a reminder of what makes a cooperative unique. When BEK succeeds, our members share in that success.
The decision made in 2000 to welcome new members into BEK was about more than structure; it was about community, fairness, and shared opportunity. Today, we are proud to see that decision come full circle.
To those receiving a retirement check this year, thank you for being part of BEK. Your membership matters, and your ownership makes a difference. We look forward to continuing to serve you and to building an even stronger future together.
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