Cooperative Information

Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative, Inc. operates as a nonprofit, customer-owned corporation. Customers who buy services from the company become members. Like other telephone cooperatives, Blackfoot seeks to provide members with the highest quality service at the most affordable rates.

Rates paid by members are used to operate the Cooperative. However, money spent on operations does not always equal money from collected rates. Revenues in excess of operating expenses are called margins; a percentage of the margin is allocated to each member on a yearly pro-rated basis, according to the amount of services the member has purchased.

These allocations are called capital credits. Each member's capital credit account is maintained by the Cooperative. The amount placed in members’ accounts is based on criteria established in company bylaws and by our Board of Trustees.

The capital credit system allows members to actively participate in the Cooperative. That’s because their capital credit forms equity that helps the Cooperative to operate successfully. In addition, members elect the Cooperative’s Board of Trustees, which sets policy to represent members’ interests and to ensure the Cooperative’s success.