By Al Strain

Owatonna People’s Press

BLOOMING PRAIRIE — After having their company operate in the community for years, officials with FrontierCommunications are excited to have a storefront to call home to serve Blooming Prairie and the surrounding communities.

On Wednesday, Frontier Communications held a grand opening celebration at its new location on at 420 1st St. Southeast in Blooming Prairie, right next to City Hall.

For Darrell Hansen, general manager of Frontier’s operations in southern Minnesota, Wednesday was exciting.

“Our business has just been exploding with new customers,” Hansen said.

Among the services that will be offered at the Blooming Prairie store will be telephone, Internet and satellite TV with DISH Network. One of the fastest growing areas of Frontier’s business, Hansen said, is broadband Internet.

“There are so many different options in our broadband service. You can choose the speed that bests fits you and your family,” Hansen said.

The store’s opening comes after Frontier made investments and upgraded its network in Blooming Prairie to offer faster Internet speeds.

Brendan Kelly, communications manager for Frontier, said the store will serve as a central location for the telecom company’s operations in the communities that surround Blooming Prairie.

“It’s going to serve as a good hub. Not only will there be an associate working in the store, another person is going to outdoor knocking, meeting people for appointments and getting them at a good time at their homes,” Kelly said. “We’ll be able to jump off and service all these other exchanges relatively easy. It’s more of a personal presence right here.”

Becky Noble, director of the Blooming Prairie Chamber of Commerce, was pleased to see Frontier make an investment in Blooming Prairie with the storefront after the company has helped out with causes in town over the years.

“It’s really nice to see it back open with a couple of employees. It’s good for the community. I wish we could fill all of the stores we have left,” Noble said. “Frontier Communications has always been a great supporter of Blooming Prairie. They support our non-profits and our businesses.”

Fellow business owners turned out for the ribbon-cutting ceremony to support Frontier Communication, something that Hansen said was “humbling.”

“I get great support from all of the business and residential people from in and around Blooming Prairie. When we have something, the chamber is very helpful for us, and they’ve been very good to us and very supportive,” Hansen said.