AT&T, Chamber of Commerce celebrate new wireless tower near Marshall

Back row: Stan Moore, Gene Fangman, County Collector Grace Miles, John Raines, Circuit Court Clerk Sharon Crawford, Nathon Gaudreau, Jamie Nichols, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ken Yowell, Bob Keck, Dale Zank and County Assessor Margaret Pond. Front row: Linda Smith; Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton; Kristy Duncan, Brian Oravetz, Cassandra Penny and Mike Chambers, all of AT&T; Rep. Joe Aull, D-Marshall; and Chamber of Commerce President Ron Duvall. Area officials and AT&T representatives cut the ribbon on a new wireless tower serving the Marshall area Friday, Sept. 18, outside the city office building.
(Sydney Stonner/Democrat-News)

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Mike Chambers, who is the director of external affairs for AT&T's northwest Missouri region, was on hand to celebrate the opening.

"We're making a lot of investment at a time that it's kind of tough to make that investment," Chambers said.

He said the new tower in Marshall is one of 55 added in Missouri this year. A total of 36 existing cellular sites have been upgraded in 2009 as well.

According to a press release, AT&T invested more than $1.75 billion in Missouri from 2006 to 2008.

Chambers acknowledged state legislators from Saline County, and said he appreciated their efforts to help promote technological advances.

"These guys create a public policy that encourages businesses to operate in the state of Missouri," Chambers said.

State Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, was present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He said that, as a legislator, he works hard to convince companies that rural areas are worth investing in.

"If we can get high-speed broadband into the rural areas," Stouffer said, "it doesn't matter where you work, you can be in international commerce."

Stouffer is grateful for AT&T's new tower on a personal level as well.

"If I go climb up the grain bin, I can get service; otherwise, I can't," Stouffer said, demonstrating the lack of cell phone coverage in rural areas.

State Rep. Joe Aull, D-Marshall, was also at the event. He commended AT&T for bringing the new tower to Marshall.

"They're always on the cutting edge, trying to bring new things in," Aull said.

Others present at the event included Marshall Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ken Yowell, COC President Ron Duvall, Saline County Assessor Margaret Pond, Circuit Court Clerk Sharon Crawford and Marshall Tourism Commission member Gary Grote.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net