Hill Country Telephone Cooperative (HCTC) has announced a significant investment in the communities it serves, committing $10,000 to each of the 26 schools across its footprint. The initiative, discussed by Madysen McDonald of HCTC on How Texas Youth Are Changing The Game at VentureFest, underscores the cooperative's dedication to supporting local students and highlights the unique role rural cooperatives play in community development.
The $260,000 total investment comes at a time when many rural communities are struggling financially. McDonald explained that HCTC recognized the pressing need. "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 are unrestricted, allowing each school to address its most urgent priorities, whether that means upgrading technology, funding extracurricular activities, or supporting families in need.
Beyond financial contributions, HCTC is actively engaging with students at local events. On Friday nights, the co-op 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 the kids are especially enthusiastic. "They come up to us all the time and they say, 'Hey, my parents have HCTC. We love you,'" she said. This grassroots approach helps HCTC connect with younger members and reinforce its presence in the community.
HCTC's support extends to fostering entrepreneurship among youth. The cooperative is a key supporter of the Hill Country Venture Fest in Mason, where students pitch business ideas in front of hundreds of people. Justin McKenzie, host of The Building Texas Show and emcee of the event, emphasized that such experiences build resilience. McDonald shared his excitement: "I can't wait to see how these kids' brains are working." By backing events like Venture Fest, HCTC is helping to cultivate the next generation of innovators and business leaders in rural Texas.
The cooperative's commitment is rooted in its identity as a local organization. HCTC provides landline, fiber, and fixed wireless services across a wide area from Ingram to Fredericksburg and out to Big Lake, including Mason, Sonora, Junction, and El Dorado. As McKenzie noted, landlines remain crucial when cell service fails and someone needs to call 911. More information about HCTC's services is available at Hill Country Telephone Cooperative.
For McDonald, the cooperative difference is personal. HCTC employees live in the communities they serve, so members see them at the grocery store and at T-ball games. This close relationship fosters trust and accountability, ensuring that the cooperative's investments truly reflect local needs. The best way to support HCTC, she says, is to attend its events and stay connected through social media.
McKenzie closed the discussion by highlighting the cooperative spirit: when business is local, money goes back into the community's kids, teams, and events like Hill Country Venture Fest. The full conversation is available on https://www.buildingtexasshow.com.
