Company's Foundation Supports Education, Community and Cultural Initiatives

MANKATO, Minn., April 9, 2008—The HickoryTech Foundation announces today its 2008-09 fiscal year grant awards totaling $94,000.  HickoryTech is dedicated to a vision of helping the communities in which it does business and focuses its contributions in the categories of education, community and culture. 

Mankato area organizations and programs that will receive grants are as follows:
Minnesota State University-Mankato, Presidential Scholarships, $20,000; South Central College-North Mankato Scholarships, $15,000; Educare, $5,000; Gustavus Adolphus College-National Youth Sports Program, $5,000; Mankato Symphony Orchestra, $5,000; Minnesota State University, Mankato Theatre, $5,000; Waseca Area Aquatic Center, $5,000; Miracle League of North Mankato, $4,000; Junior Achievement, $3,000; Greater Mankato Diversity Council, $2,500; ECHO Food Shelf, $2,500; VINE Faith in Action, $2,500; Twin River's Center for the Arts, $2,000; Bethany Lutheran College Chamber Music Series, $1,500, Central Freedom High School, $1,000; Kids Against Hunger-Blue Earth Red Cross Emergency Meals, $1,000; Lake Crystal Rec. Center Playground, $1,000; Salvation Army "Sal's After School Program," $1,000; St. Peter Choral Society, $1,000; Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program, $1,000; and the YWCA-Mankato, $1,000.

Northwest Iowa area organizations and programs that will receive grants are as follows:
Hope Haven, $3,000; Bright Beginnings-Sibley, $2,000; City of Hull Library, $2,000, Bancroft Community Health Center, $1,000; and Rock Rapids Fire Dept, $1,000.

"We are very pleased to support 26 organizations and projects this year with funding that will work to enhance our communities, educate our youth and provide cultural benefits to all," said Lyle Jacobson, HickoryTech Foundation president.  "It is our mission, through the foundation, to support the communities we serve and we're proud to be able to continue to give back and fund these important initiatives."

Grants through the HickoryTech Foundation are awarded on an annual basis and through a grant application process.  The HickoryTech Foundation focuses its giving on organizations that reside within the Company's service area and support the mission of the HickoryTech Foundation.

About HickoryTech Foundation:

Built on a tradition of community leadership and corporate responsibility, the HickoryTech Foundation has donated millions of dollars to worthy organizations and focuses its outreach charitable giving to supporting the communities served by the company. The HickoryTech Foundation, originated in 1963, contributes to numerous non-profit organizations in the areas of education, community and culture.

About HickoryTech

HickoryTech Corporation (NASDAQ:  HTCO), headquartered in Mankato, Minn., offers integrated communication products and services to business and residential customers over a regional fiber network.  The company, founded in 1898, has approximately 410 employees. The Telecom Sector, with facilities-based operations in Minnesota and Iowa, offers local voice, long distance, high-speed Internet, Digital TV, and IP networking services to residential and business customers.  In addition, the Telecom Sector develops telecom and carrier access billing solutions and customer management systems. The Enventis Sector provides IP-based voice, data and network solutions to businesses across a five-state region. For more information, visit www.hickorytech.com.

Contact:
Jennifer Spaude
Phone: 507-386-3765