By Jolene FarleyThe Hills Telephone Company has a new owner and will soon have a new name.In 1996, Alliance Communications, Hector Communications and Golden West Communications purchased telephone exchanges in Hills, Steen and Alvord, Inwood, Larchwood and Lester, Iowa, together. Effective Monday, July 7, co-owners Hector Communications and Golden West Communications sold their interests and Alliance Communications became the sole owner of Hills Telephone Company. Because of the ownership transfer, the Hills Telephone Company name will change to Alliance Communications for accounting, customer service and marketing functions, according to a press release from the company."Alliance Communications has played a crucial role in the operations of Hills Telephone Company for the past seven years," General Manager of Alliance Communications Don Snyders said. "I’ve served as a member of the board of directors that has overseen Hills Telephone Company. We’re very familiar with how Hills Telephone Company has operated over the past several years." There are no anticipated rate increases as a result of the ownership transfer. The four technicians currently working out of the Hills office will continue to serve the Alvord, Hills, Inwood, Larchwood, Lester and Steen communities. "It’s important for Alliance Communications to have a strong local presence in the communities it serves," Alliance Communications Office Manager Mark Bahnson said. "These technicians live in the communities they serve, and they’re very committed to the people in the communities."Alliance Communications also owns exchanges in Alcester, Baltic, Brandon, Carthage, Crooks, Garretson, Howard, Hudson, Oldham and Romona, S.D.The company has three business offices, with headquarters in Garretson, S.D., and satellite offices in Baltic, and Brandon, S.D.
