The South Washington County Telecommunications Commission has done a lot in its 40 years of existence. From curating local cable channels to keeping video record of government meetings and more, …
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The South Washington County Telecommunications Commission has done a lot in its 40 years of existence. From curating local cable channels to keeping video record of government meetings and more, it’s been a vital part of the community and the record since 1983.
Now, it’s celebrating. Partnering with area businesses and taking place August 22 from 4 p.m to 8 p.m. at 6939 Pine Arbor Drive South in Cottage Grove, the broadcaster will be hosting a block party, with live music, food trucks, kids activities, local fire and police vehicles, and radio station tours, to name a few attractions.
All activities are free of charge, the only charge being food and drink with food trucks.
Partnering sponsors for the event include Pine Arbor Dental Care, Junction 70 Grill, Ellie Mental Health and Bellisimo Salon and Day Spa.
Back in 1983, it started with a similar partnership, between Cottage Grove and a group of citizens who wanted to provide franchise guidelines around then new cable technology.
“We’re the regulatory body that regulates cable franchise contracts in this area,” SWCTC executive director Mark Martinez told Dave Thiede recently in the council update of the organization’s purpose. Working with five different municipalities (Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, Newport, Woodbury, and Grey Cloud Township), SWCTC operates three cable channels along with social media channels, to distribute information on what’s going down in the area and help promote it.
Following its establishment, the organization further developed with the Federal Cable Act of 1984, allowing franchise authorities like SWCTC to be financially compensated for what they were doing and established channels of communication “public, educational, and government” over the last 40 years, Martinez shared.
With several staff members serving 20-plus years, the organization is thoroughly modern, with deep roots into the past as well.
Once again, the 40th anniversary party for SWCTC is August 22 from 4 p.m .to 8 p.m., located at 6939 Pine Arbor Drive off Hinton and 70th, in Cottage Grove.
