Bulloch Solutions celebrated 75 years of service in Bulloch County this week, highlighting decades of technological innovation, financial stability, and customer-focused growth during its 2026 annual meeting.
Cooperative members and customers alike packed Connection Church on Thursday as what CEO John Scott said was one of the largest crowds ever for an annual meeting. At the meeting start time, more than 300 cooperative members had registered to participate in the annual business meeting.
Camille Christiansen of accounting firm Baker Tilly presented the cooperative’s financial report, describing Bulloch Solutions as financially strong with healthy net margins, significant equity, and stable operating expenses despite ongoing inflationary pressures. Officials noted that members own a substantial portion of the cooperative’s assets, with equity reaching approximately 92%. She emphasized the company’s stability as an indicator of long-term sustainability.
Christiansen also highlighted that the company continues to invest heavily in infrastructure and plant improvements. Total assets and equity continue to grow year over year and the cooperative’s broadband operations remain a major focus, with internet-related services accounting for a growing portion of revenue.
CEO John Scott reflected on the cooperative’s evolution from a small rural telephone provider with local switchboards and party-line service into a nationally recognized communications company delivering fiber broadband and multi-gig internet service throughout Bulloch County. Scott told attendees that the company’s growth over the last 75 years has been driven by a commitment to staying ahead of technology trends while remaining focused on serving local customers.
“We want our customers to have the best of everything,” Scott said as he recounted the cooperative’s technological milestones.
He also highlighted how Bulloch Solutions became the first telephone company in the United States to provide fiber service to every customer in its service area in 2011. More recently, he said, the cooperative became one of the first providers to offer multi-gig internet speeds to every customer across the county instead of limiting the service to select high-density areas.
“We don’t cherry pick who’s going to get it,” Scott said, noting that what’s good for one is good for all.
Scott praised employees throughout the organization and lauded the family dynamic amongst the team. He told members that the company’s success stems largely from employees who are committed to serving customers and improving the customer experience both in company offices and inside customers’ homes.
“If there is any magic, it’s in the fact that this team is a team,” Scott said. “Most people come to work to serve.”
The company also outlined recent investments in network engineering and broadband technology designed to improve service reliability and internet speeds. Scott said Bulloch Solutions recently implemented local caching services that temporarily store frequently accessed content locally within the network. That means streaming and online content can often be delivered directly from local hubs in Bulloch County rather than traveling across long distance routes, improving both speed and quality.
Over the last two years, Scott said Bulloch Solutions reported a 15% reduction in trouble tickets while simultaneously adding 553 new members. Scott said they continue to invest in technology, employee training, and infrastructure upgrades to ensure the network remains adaptable as future technological demands evolve. As far as growth for Bulloch County, Scott said the infrastructure of Bulloch Solutions is ready.
And, of course, a highlight for cooperative members: an emphasis on the return of capital credits to members. Scott said Bulloch Solutions has returned approximately $25 million to customers over the last six years through capital credit retirements, reiterating the benefits of the co-op business model. While he cautioned that future retirements depend on financial conditions and capital needs, Scott said the cooperative has been pleased to consistently return money to members in recent years.
The meeting concluded with director elections.
Charles w Lee III was nominated for the Stilson exchange.
John W. Anderson was nominated for the Nevils exchange.
Lehman Brannen was nominated for the Anderson exchange.
All three were unanimously reappointed to serve another three-year term.
“Membership has its privileges,” Scott said before thanking attendees and sharing anticipation for “another 75 years” of service.
