Submitted Photo SRT and NTCA present a $5,000 check to Local Motives for Citizens Alley on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Participating are, from left: front, SRT Director Bruce Degenstein, Local Motives Executive Director Jessica Ackerman, NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield, SRT Board President Stanley Vangsness, SRT CEO/General Manager Cassidy Hjelmsted, SRT Director Dennis Erber; back row, SRT Directors Allan Engh, Tom Jespersen, Deven Mantz, Deanna Klein, Cheryl Overby, Kristi Miller and Stuart Rothe.

SRT and NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association presented $5,000 to Local Motives at Citizens Alley in downtown Minot Tuesday, Oct. 7, SRT has announced.

The community grant, including $4,500 from the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) and $500 from SRT, funded three checker/chess board picnic tables and game pieces for Citizens Alley to enhance passive recreation, foster community engagement and enrich the public plaza experience.

Citizens Alley opened in downtown Minot this summer as a community hub and year-round gathering space offering a variety of summer and winter activities. The public plaza is operated by Local Motives, a local nonprofit. Since July 10, Citizens Alley has hosted more than 30 event days, including the Silobration attended by roughly 700 people in August, according to SRT information.

“SRT has been supportive of making this dream a reality for several years,” said Jessica Ackerman, executive director of Local Motives. “Minot needed a place to connect with each other and instill pride in our community. We are in the business of connections – a purpose we share with SRT.”

FRS, the philanthropic arm of NTCA, works to sustain and enhance quality of life in America through an understanding of rural issues. The Community Grant Program is offered annually through NTCA members to support local efforts in building sustainable rural communities for residents. Because SRT is a member of NTCA, communities within SRT’s service area can apply for the FRS Community Grant Program.

“I have seen firsthand how NTCA members like SRT partner with their communities to advance economic vitality and quality of their public spaces,” said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA in a news release. “Citizens Alley is a shining example of how these collaborations build lasting benefit for local residents and visitors alike – and what a treat it was for me to see this partnership in action while in Minot this week.”