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Being present in our communities is part of who we are. Over the past two months, our employees have been busy volunteering, celebrating, and connecting with our neighbors—whether it was helping out at summer youth programs, joining in on career days, taking part in Fall Fests, walking in local parades, or welcoming a State Representative for a tour. We’re proud to live, work, and give back in the same places we serve!

For over 30 years, Kanokla has been part of something truly special — a rural cellular network partnership that connected people along the Kansas-Oklahoma line long before cell phones became part of everyday life. What started as a bold investment in wireless technology evolved into a decades-long success story, bringing cellular coverage to places others overlooked. A partnership of five telecommunications companies banded together to solve a rural problem–something no one

Customer service has to evolve as fast as technology—and that’s not always easy. In today’s world of chatbots, hold music, and endless automated menus, it can feel almost impossible to talk to a real person. For many large companies, customer service has become more about efficiency than empathy. But at Kanokla, we see it differently. We believe great service isn’t a department—it’s a relationship. It’s knowing your name, understanding your concern, and making sure you leave

As a member-owned cooperative, Kanokla believes success is measured not only in the connections we build, but in the communities we strengthen. Since our founding in 1951, we’ve proudly invested in the towns and people we serve—supporting education, local development, and projects that improve quality of life across our region. To ensure this legacy continues for generations to come, Kanokla’s Board of Directors has established the Kanokla Forever Fund, a Community Developmen

In today’s world, streaming has become a must have for how we watch, listen, and play. Whether you’re catching the latest blockbuster, binge-watching your favorite series, or listening to a podcast or audiobook while you work, streaming services have changed entertainment forever. But what’s the backbone behind that smooth viewing experience? A reliable internet connection, like Kanokla’s, makes all the difference. Who to Look at for Streaming From Netflix and Hulu to Disney+

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and at Kanokla, we’re taking this time to highlight something that impacts us all—the growing sophistication of scams. In recent weeks, our customer service team has noticed a spike in unusual phone calls. These aren’t typical service inquiries. Some callers are asking questions about our employees, attempting to “verify” names or job roles. Others seem to be testing our responses, possibly laying the groundwork for a future scam. In

Kanokla is excited to announce that construction has begun on our long-awaited ReConnect 1 Fiber-to-the-Home Project. This project represents a major investment in the future of our rural communities - bringing world-class fiber internet to homes and businesses across parts of Kay and Osage counties in Oklahoma, and Cowley and Sumner counties in Kansas. How We Got Here Kanokla was awarded the USDA ReConnect 1 Grant in April 2020 to deliver high-speed broadband to the underser

This summer’s Kanokla Tech Camp gave 50 students from grades 5–9 another hands-on experience exploring the world of technology. Our team designed Tech Camp to inspire curiosity and confidence, and featured a variety of interactive stations that let kids dive into the creative and mechanical sides of tech. At the AI Creativity Station, students collaborated with our Design Studio team, utilizing artificial intelligence to design their own posters and notebooks, learning how te

Kanokla has been part of South Haven since 1954, and through the years, we’ve become more than just the local telecommunications provider. We love showing up for community events, lending a hand, and finding ways to give back. The new mural is just another way we’re celebrating our pride in South Haven and the people who make it home. Just west of Highway 81, a bright mural now covers the east side of the Kanokla Central Offices building, greeting everyone who passes through

At Kanokla Design Studio, we’re always looking for ways to make our customers’ experience easier and more efficient. That’s why we’re excited to announce that we are in the process of launching a new online ordering platform through PageDNA. PageDNA is a powerful, web-based storefront solution that simplifies the process of ordering printed materials. Through this platform, our customers will soon be able to browse a catalog of customizable print products, select sizes and qu

Relaxing poolside and your 5 year old is bored? Wishing you could entertain them with their waterproof tablet, or have music poolside, but your internet does not extend to the pool? Kanokla has you covered! Want to Facetime with friends catching the biggest fish of the season, but your internet does not reach the river? Kanokla has you covered! Need internet while on that silo? Kanokla has you covered! Kanokla now offers a simple solution to your outdoor needs with our

Elisha Downing has been elected as the District 1 Director, bringing with her a strong background in emergency services, deep rural roots, and a passion for community-focused telecommunications. A lifelong resident of Manchester, Oklahoma, Elisha’s commitment to service and integrity is deeply grounded in her upbringing on her family’s farm just south of town. Formerly known as Elisha German, she was raised in a household that valued hard work and community involvement. Her g

We’re excited to kick off the 6th year of our Kanokla Internship Program with five outstanding interns who will spend the summer gaining hands-on experience, learning about our industry, and contributing to real projects across the company. Meet the 2025 Kanokla Intern Class: Cooper Hatfield and Marcus Provost will divide their time in our plant department with a focus on mapping/engineering and broadband technology, supporting network growth and infrastructure planning. Audr

Kanokla is proud to announce the promotion of Alysia Keller to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) — a role that recognizes not only her financial expertise but also her deep-rooted commitment to our cooperative, our people, and the rural communities we serve. Alysia began her journey with Kanokla in 1997 as an Assistant Accountant. Her talent, work ethic, and passion for precision quickly earned her recognition. She was promoted to Accountant in 2010, then to Finance Manager in 20

This past April marked the 4th annual Robotics Competition hosted at Cowley College – Sumner campus in Wellington, Kansas. The event has become a much anticipated tradition, drawing middle school students from across the region to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities in a fun, hands-on environment. Each year, participating schools receive a list of the competition events well in advance, giving students several months to design, build, te

The Other 5 Active Projects By the time our RUS Reconnect 1 project breaks ground, we will wrap up 3 of 5 of our other active broadband grant projects, nail the halfway milestones on one actively under construction, and hopefully wrap up the cumbersome environmental requirements to kick off the 5th. Kanokla is leveraging state broadband dollars to connect more communities to our robust core network. In Kansas, we successfully buttoned up our Lasting Infrastructure Network Con

Change is a funny thing. It excites some and unsettles others, even when we know it’s necessary. That’s human nature—our brains are wired to fear loss more than they value gain. When change knocks, many of us instinctively brace ourselves for more work, more energy, and more risk. It’s survival instinct: conserve now in case we have to hunt for food or run from a bear later. In our rural communities, we’re used to making do. We’ve learned to thrive with less, to adapt, to per

Mental Health Awareness Month is more than just a calendar observance—it’s a chance to look inward, speak outward, and encourage others to do the same. As someone who has walked a tough personal journey, I know the value of talking openly about mental health, especially in small, rural towns where silence can sometimes feel louder than support. Since becoming a full-time member of the Kanokla Design Studio team in January, I’ve been reminded every day how important it is to f

Kanokla Members Approve Key Bylaw Updates for Clarity and Tax Efficiency Kanokla members have approved several important changes to the organization's Bylaws aimed at improving clarity, consistency, and financial efficiency. The approved amendments affect multiple sections, including updates that reflect evolving operational and legal needs. Key Changes Include: Article I, Section 1.4: Redundant language regarding members providing capital was removed, as this is already addr

Kanokla is proud to recognize Glenda Alexander as the recipient of this year’s Community Service Award, celebrating her lifelong dedication, quiet leadership, and unwavering service to Hardtner and the greater Barber County area. For Glenda, community service isn't about a single act—it's about a lifetime of stepping up, showing up, and making things happen. Whether it's holding nearly every office in countless local organizations, lending a hand at community events, or organ