BEK - BEACON

Message from the CEO

Built for Rural Life

February 2026

Rural communities are the heart and soul of North Dakota, and at BEK Communications Cooperative, they are the entire reason our cooperative was formed. BEK knows how to deliver technology that makes life easier, safer, and more connected for people living and working in small towns across our state.


Healthcare is a powerful example of that commitment. While clinics, pharmacies, long-term care facilities, and emergency services often face challenges due to distance and limited resources, they also consistently rise to meet the needs of their neighbors. BEK is proud to support that work with our BEK Care Solutions, technology that helps providers communicate, collaborate, and care for patients more effectively. BEK Care Solutions are designed specifically for healthcare environments.


Through BEK Care Solutions, we work directly with healthcare teams to support clear communication and coordination with staff and patients. With BEK Connect, our phone systems, video platforms, and virtual meeting rooms give providers the ability to reach patients, families, and specialists quickly and without being slowed down by geography. And our security and surveillance services help protect facilities, staff, and residents while improving peace of mind for families.


These tools may not grab headlines, but they quietly solve real problems every day. They help a nurse check on a resident in the middle of the night. They allow a specialist to meet face-to-face with a patient over video without a 100-mile drive. They help care teams ensure they have critical equipment where and when they need it. That’s rural healthcare made stronger through connection.


Rural is not a buzzword at BEK, it’s who we are. Our employees live in rural communities. Our board members are elected by rural residents. Our success is tied to the wellbeing of small towns, and we take that responsibility seriously. When policymakers talk about transforming healthcare in rural America, BEK quietly thinks, “We’ve been doing that for decades.”


So, as North Dakota continues to improve access to care, expand telehealth, and support innovation in local clinics and facilities, BEK stands ready as a trusted partner. We’re already doing the work, helping communities build systems that are reliable, modern, and built to last.


Rural North Dakota deserves healthcare that doesn’t require long drives or difficult trade-offs. It deserves connection, responsiveness, and dignity. And as always, BEK is here to help make that happen today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

More stories in this Issue

Hidden Stories Among Us

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A fragile letter written by a young soldier in 1953 resurfaced in a North Dakota mailbox, reopening memories of war, family, and a story that refused to stay lost.
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Message from the CEO

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Rural is who we are. Find out how new technology, communication, and care solutions are making life easier in the small towns we call home.
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Love in Action

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BEK loves to give! This February, learn the best ways to request support for your hometown projects through grants that help rural communities grow, innovate, and thrive.
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BEK TV Helps Lift Local Nonprofits

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BEK TV is teaming up with Giving Hearts Day! See how our sports broadcasts are boosting local nonprofits ahead of Feb. 12, one of the region’s biggest days of generosity.
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Billing Made Simple

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Auto Pay dates are changing for BEK customers beginning March 3. One payment date, easier billing, and a chance to earn a $5 credit. Here’s what every member needs to know.
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Apply Today

February 2026

Scholarship deadlines are coming fast! BEK is offering thousands of dollars to help local students take their next step. Don’t miss your chance, and learn which scholarships you may qualify for.
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Front-Row Seats to Local Hoops on BEK TV

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Big games. Big moments. BEK TV is bringing District 2 Region 1 basketball from Valley City and Jamestown straight to your screen.
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What’s On Your Mind? With Scott Hennen

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Heads up, viewers! What’s On Your Mind? has a new start time on BEK TV. Find out when to tune in and why this straight-talk show is still a must-watch.
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Behind the Board

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From farm fields to fiber networks, Ed Everson’s journey is pure rural North Dakota. Meet the BEK Board Director whose life, work ethic, and belief in fiber put members first.
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BEK Earns Top Cybersecurity Honor for 3rd Year

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BEK just won a national award for the third year in a row, and it affects your home, business, and even BEK TV. Find out why cybersecurity in rural ND matters now more than ever.
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Apply Today for A Trip to Washington, D.C.

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An unforgettable trip to Washington, D.C. is waiting for rural students. The 2026 FRS Youth Tour spots are filling fast—see why BEK is encouraging local youth to apply now.
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Building Smarter Rural Communities Together

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What does it mean to be a Smart Rural Community? See how BEK’s participation in the national NTCA program is helping to bring smarter technology and stronger opportunity to rural North Dakota.
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Click Smart – Stay Cyber Safe

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Phishing scams are getting smarter and harder to spot. Learn the warning signs scammers use and how to protect your personal information before one click turns into a big problem.
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February Beacon Trivia

February 2026

Be sure to play this month’s trivia for your chance to win! Good luck!
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