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Two companies, Ritter Communications and Great Plains Communications, will be joining forces, parent company Grain Management has announced.
Edited by Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
June 16, 2026 — Grain Management has announced an ambitious move to unite two of its portfolio companies, Ritter Communications of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Great Plains Communications of Blair, Nebraska.
The decision, announced by Grain Management on June 16, will see both companies merge under a new brand: Rightfiber.
Grain Management’s announcement said Heath Simpson, currently CEO of Ritter Communications, will take the helm as CEO of the newly formed entity.
Meanwhile, the investment firm said Todd Foje, CEO of Great Plains Communications, now assumes the role of executive chairman.
Simpson highlighted the shared values driving the merger.
“Ritter and Great Plains share a deep commitment to customers, communities, and our amazing employees,” Simpson said. “By coming together as Rightfiber, we are building on the strengths of both organizations to create new opportunities for growth while continuing to deliver the fast, reliable services and local relationships our customers value.”
The combined Rightfiber network will span 28,000 miles across 20 states, Grain Management said.
According to Grain Management, Rightfiber’s footprint includes over 400 communities and connecting approximately 300,000 homes and businesses.
Like Simpson, Foje also emphasized the cultural and operational synergies of both organizations.
“Ritter Communications and Great Plains Communications share remarkably similar values, cultures, and commitments to the communities they serve,” Foje said. “Together, Rightfiber will combine deep local relationships with expanded capabilities and investment to accelerate growth and continue bringing advanced fiber connectivity to underserved communities.”
Pending customary approvals and regulatory review, Rightfiber is also set to become one of the largest privately held telecommunications platforms in the United States.
Some AI tools also assisted in the crafting of this report.
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