SCTC, the Stayton Cooperative Telephone Co., has been named the 2020 Large Business of the Year award winner by the Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce.
SCTC also was recognized for contributions to the community in 1997 and 2012.
“It is an honor to receive this award and recognition,” said Erik Hoefer, SCTC president. “This past year has been difficult in many ways for the community. The pandemic has changed the way we live and operate our businesses. SCTC has worked very hard to make sure we are providing the services our customers need in a safe and timely manner. Safely interacting with our customers has been at the forefront of our operation for the past year.”
Large Business of the Year honors are awarded to a local business having 15 or more employees that provides excellence in products or services, customer service, and is a positive contributor to the local economic vitality of the community.
“As the current president of SCTC, I know that it is our employees who have done the work to get us this award,” Hoefer said. “We have a talented group of dedicated individuals with an impressive amount of experience in the telecommunications industry. These individuals treat our customers the way they want to be treated. All of us at SCTC are continually looking for ways to help our customers have the best experience when using our services or interacting with our organization.”
SCTC started in 1955 with a vision to improve the quality of life and prosperity of its members and customers by providing communication services that are reliable, reasonably priced and tailored to meet customer needs, Hoefer said.
SCTC is the area’s local provider for telephone and Internet services, employing 30 people of which 80 percent live in the communities the company serves.
SCTC provides high speed Internet, enhanced telephone, long distance and security services in the Stayton/Sublimity area. Its customers are also its owners and share in the net margins of the company.
“SCTC’s community support starts with our board of directors,” Hoefer said. “Our board members live and work in the area. Giving back to the community is a high priority.”
Hoefer said SCTC supports a wide variety of local organizations, schools, charities, and events each year, including the chamber, the Santiam Senior Center and many other local entities. The list of organizations the company supports is available at sctcweb.com.
“SCTC is both wonderful as a customer and as a community partner,” said Steve Poisson, president of Revitalize Downtown Stayton. “They truly embody the ‘small-town mentality’ while being a large utility.”
SCTC pitches in to help the city by putting up and taking down banners and flower baskets, providing discounted space for the senior center and chamber, and by sponsoring local events.
City Councilor Paige Hook said Stayton is fortunate to have “such a wonderful business.”
“SCTC his been a caring community partner for a long time,” Hook said. “Our canyon has been through a lot this last year, and SCTC has gone above and beyond to help get us through a little easier.”
As an example, Hook shared how SCTC provided free Wi-Fi hotspots from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the library and community center parking lots.
Of future steps to better serve consumers, Hoefer said, “SCTC is continuing to build out our fiber to the home network so that we can offer the latest services to all of our customers.”
Hoefer encourages everyone to practice kindness and help others when opportunities arise.
“Being kind to people you meet does not cost a thing,” he said.
