Scholarship program is also open for applications
REGINA — Access Communications showed positive net income and growth in its revenue, cash flows and earnings in fiscal 2019, the company announced Monday. The results of its 2019 fiscal year were shared with members of the co-operative at its annual general meeting on January 21, 2020.
As a not-for profit co-operative, 100% of its earnings are re-invested into communities in Saskatchewan. In 2019, Access Communications invested $16 million in new and upgraded infrastructure as part of its five-year $100-million investment plan, according to the its annual report for 2019.
Access revenues in 2019 were $86 million, operating income was $4 million, net income was $1.2 million and net assets were $57.3 million, all increases from the previous year.
Among its service expansion highlights for 2019, Access Communications added new high definition TV channels, launched HyperSpeed 300 (doubling its fastest residential Internet speed), and expanded digital TV, wireless broadband Internet and phone services to more areas in Saskatchewan.
In the news release, Access Communications also announced Hiedi Pearson has been elected as chair of its board of directors for 2020. Pearson is vice-president of human resources and member of the senior management team at Harvard Developments Inc. in Regina. She also currently sits on the board of directors of Ranch Ehrlo Society and is a member of the 2020 Grey Cup Committee. The four new directors elected to the board are Doreen Polischuk, Patrick Kelly, Lorna Knudson and Juanita Polegi.
In a second news release Monday, the co-operative said it is now accepting applications for the Access Communications Scholarship Program. High school graduates have until April 9, 2020 to apply to win one of 20 scholarships of $1,000 each.
The Access Communications Scholarship Program recognizes graduating students who demonstrate exemplary academic achievement and community involvement. Scholarship recipients are selected by an awards committee, which will consider students’ contributions to community when selecting winners.
“At Access, giving back to the community is at the heart of everything we do,” said Jim Deane, CEO of Access Communications, in the news release. “We feel it is only right to reward young people across the province who strive to improve their hometown communities.”
In addition to the Access Scholarship Program, scholarships are awarded each year to students enrolled at the University of Regina through the Access Communications/Fred Wagman Scholarship in Film & Video.
