(Mishawaka, IN) – On July 1, Schurz Communications completed the acquisition of Vast Broadband network facilities and customers in northwest Iowa and southeast South Dakota. These new systems complement existing Schurz properties operating as Long Lines Broadband www.longlines.com based in Sergeant Bluff, IA which Schurz acquired in 2015. The acquired Vast Broadband service areas include the important communities of N. Sioux City, SD and Storm Lake, IA. In the deal, Schurz also acquired 200 miles of fiber network infrastructure throughout the service area connecting South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota.
“Combining Vast Broadband systems into Long Lines Broadband extensive operations will offer new products and services to residents and businesses” said Brian Lynch SVP Broadband Schurz Communications. “We see great opportunities to grow the business in these communities.” Once the integration work is completed later this summer, former Vast customers will benefit from new all-digital video, new HD channels and new high speed internet choices on Long Lines Broadband.
For 75 years, Long Lines Broadband has built a reputation of quality customer service and operational excellence. On July 1, employees of Vast Broadband were welcomed into the Schurz and Long Lines family of companies. The integrated Long Lines team will be working over the next 90 days to migrate broadband, video and phone customers of Vast onto the existing Long Lines network. Long Lines plan to hire additional customer service personnel to support the expanded customer base.
Michael McHugh and FBR Capital Markets & Co. acted as financial advisors on this transaction.
About Schurz Communications Schurz Communications, Inc., is a Mishawaka, IN-based news and information company that consists of cable, newspaper publishing and digital media. The company publishes daily and weekly newspapers in medium and small markets. It also owns cable companies and phone directories. Geographically, Schurz Communications has a presence in Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.