MANKATO, Minn., July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- HickoryTech Corporation (Nasdaq: HTCO) today announced that it has been awarded a three-year work force development grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development through the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Program (MJSP) in the amount of $390,000. The grant enables HickoryTech to provide highly technical communications and networking training to employees over a three-year period. Awards are granted semiannually. HickoryTech is one of eighteen companies in the state to receive such an award in July. South Central College in North Mankato and Anoka-Ramsey Community College will partner with HickoryTech to develop customized technology training curriculum and class sessions to be held in both locations. Sessions focus on four developmental skill areas: Networking, IP Architecture, Project Management, and Adapting to Change.

As technologies become more sophisticated, so does the need for ongoing training in networking integration and system architecture. MJSP advocates economic vitality across industries by bringing businesses with specific education needs together with educational institutions.

"Our company and employees are impacted daily by changes in networking and communications technology," said John Duffy, president and CEO of HickoryTech. "We are pleased to be able to maintain a highly skilled workforce with this opportunity to stay abreast of new and emerging technologies. This partnership will provide the expertise required for HickoryTech to continue to successfully satisfy an increasingly sophisticated customer base in the highly competitive communications environment."

About HickoryTech Corporation: HickoryTech Corporation is a diversified communications company headquartered in Mankato, Minn., with approximately 400 employees in Minnesota and Iowa. In its 108th year of operation, HickoryTech offers a full array of telecommunications products and services to business and residential customers. The Telecom Sector offers local voice, long distance, Internet, Broadband services, Digital TV, and IP networking. The Enterprise Solutions Sector provides IP Telephony, call center management, and data network solutions; and the Information Solutions Sector develops telecom and carrier access billing solutions. To learn more about HickoryTech Corporation, visit the company's Web site at http://www.HickoryTech.com .

Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry in which HickoryTech operates and management's beliefs and assumptions. The forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and probabilities. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except as required by federal securities laws, HickoryTech undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements for any reason.

SOURCE HickoryTech Corporation

CONTACT:
Mary Jacobs
Vice President of Human Resources
HickoryTech
507-387-1872