South Slope Cooperative: Building the Future, Rooted in Community

Courtesy of South Slope

In 1958, a group of farmers in Norway, IA, came together with a simple but powerful goal: to bring reliable telephone service to their rural community. Nearly seven decades later, that same spirit of cooperation continues to drive South Slope Cooperative Communications, now a leading broadband provider serving 530 square miles of eastern Iowa.

Unlike national corporations, South Slope isn’t owned by outside shareholders. It’s owned by the people who live and work here.

“Everyone who pays for service with us is an owner,” says Brian Hamacher, chief operating officer at South Slope. “We’re structured as a true cooperative. If there’s money left over after operations and reinvestments, those dollars go back to our members through capital credits. That’s a big difference from a stock company.”

Local Roots, Member-Focused

The cooperative model shapes everything South Slope does. From annual member meetings to scholarships, grants and local sponsorships, the company invests in the communities it serves. Employees live in the same towns as their customers, and South Slope is a familiar presence at parades, food drives and school events.

Courtesy of South Slope

This focus on people, rather than profits, has nurtured a loyal membership base. Many families have been with South Slope for generations, and when a longtime member passes away, their capital credits are returned to their heirs. Over the years, members collectively have received millions of dollars back through this system. “That’s the strength of a cooperative,” Hamacher says. “It’s built for members, not investors.”

Technology That’s Always Ahead

One of the common misconceptions about cooperatives is that they can’t keep up with technology. South Slope has worked hard to prove the opposite. The cooperative has built a 100% fiber-to-the-home network in both urban and rural areas, delivering some of the fastest speeds available anywhere. Its network is built redundantly to ensure reliability, and it can scale up to multi-gig service on request.

“As part of our mission, we reinvest in technology to make sure members have access to the latest speeds and services,” Hamacher says. “That commitment keeps us future-ready.”

In addition to high-speed internet, South Slope offers managed Wi-Fi, firewalls, television and telephone services for both residential and business members. Businesses benefit from the cooperative’s presence in one of the fastest-growing areas of Iowa, strategically positioned between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. With a redundant fiber backbone, secure managed services and local technicians available on demand, companies can operate with the confidence that their communications are reliable and scalable for growth.

More Than a Provider, a Partner

South Slope has evolved alongside the communities it serves. What began as a small telephone exchange has grown into a full-service broadband cooperative with about 75 employees. In 2002, South Slope relocated its headquarters to North Liberty to meet the demands of a rapidly growing region.

Even as its service area grows and technology advances, the cooperative has remained grounded in its founding values.

“We’ve never lost sight of our north star: to take care of our members,” Hamacher says. “We want them to have the best service at a fair price, backed by timely, local support. Without our members, there would be no cooperative.”

That support is tangible. When customers call, they’re connected to someone who lives in their community, not a distant call center. Technicians driving out to set up service or troubleshoot an issue are often neighbors, parents at the same schools or familiar faces from the local ballfield. That personal connection builds trust that larger national providers can’t replicate.

For residents and businesses choosing between big national brands and local service, Hamacher says the difference comes down to trust and reinvestment. “The dollars you spend here stay here,” he says. “They’re reinvested in the network, in our communities, and ultimately, they come back to you.”

A Community Connected

From its beginnings in a small farming town to its role today as a high-tech broadband leader, South Slope has always been more than just a utility provider.

“In this area, you’ve got great schools, safe neighborhoods, cultural events and endless opportunities,” Hamacher says. “We’re proud to be part of what makes this region such a great place to live and raise a family. Our job is to make sure the technology keeps up, so our members can stay connected to what matters most.”

Looking ahead, South Slope is preparing for the next generation of connectivity. Continued investment in multi-gig internet, smart-home readiness and advanced business services ensures that eastern Iowa will remain competitive, connected and future-ready.

“Technology will keep changing, but our mission won’t,” Hamacher says. “We’ll always be here to deliver the best service we can, because that’s what our members deserve.”

For more information about South Slope Cooperative Communications, visit southslope.com.