50 Communities Advance in America’s Best Communities $10 Million Prize Competition; Each Receives $50,000 to Implement Economic Revitalization Plans

STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Across the country, 50 communities have advanced to the quarterfinalist round of the America’s Best Communities competition, a $10 million initiative to stimulate economic revitalization in small towns and cities. Each community will be awarded$50,000 to further develop and implement their comprehensive strategies to accelerate their local economies and improve quality of life.

Vince Gill, the Competition’s Spokesperson, joined Frontier Communications, DISH, CoBank and The Weather Channel — the Competition’s sponsors — today and announced the communities that have advanced into the quarterfinals. The selection was made by an independent group of expert judges from a pool of over 135 community applicants. The 50 quarterfinalist communities have six months to shape and refine their revitalization plans and compete for the grand prizes totaling $5 million. For a complete list of the 50 quarterfinalist communities, please click here.

In the months ahead, the communities will partner with a major corporation that will provide guidance and support throughout the next stage of the competition. The America’s Best Communities Adopt-a-Community Program has brought together 50 distinguished companies from across the U.S. to support this prize competition. Each will serve as a strategic mentor, while also contributing $15,000 of the $50,000 in prize money. These corporate partners will forge relationships with local leaders and focus their efforts on successful implementation of the innovative business plans. For the full list of corporate sponsors, please click here.

“As the largest telecommunications company focused on rural America, we recognized the need for and the economic impact of new, strategic investments on the revitalization of small towns and communities across rural America,” Frontier Communications Executive Chairman Maggie Wilderotter said. “We launched America’s Best Communities to inspire innovation and foster sustainable local growth, while driving increased investment in America’s rural communities. We congratulate the 50 winning communities that have proven they have what it takes to be America’s best.”

“DISH’s connection to America’s small towns has been deep throughout our entire history, and their success helps drive our success,” said DISH Chairman and CEO Charlie Ergen. “Just as our business thrives on innovation and creative thinking, the same holds true for the health of a rural economy. We look forward to seeing the communities’ strategic thinking take root.”

“We are firmly committed to growing rural America at CoBank, and the America’s Best Communities competition will provide rural towns and cities with a much-needed injection of capital to invigorate local economies,” CoBank CEO Bob Engel said. “Congratulations to all of the communities that will leverage this financial support to drive economic recovery.”

“At The Weather Channel, we have witnessed first-hand the resilience and tenacity of America’s small towns and rural communities while covering their preparation and recovery from life-changing weather events,” said David Kenny, Chairman and CEO of The Weather Company. “We’re proud to be a part of this innovative partnership, and we look forward to covering the 50 communities that now embark on the next chapter of their revival story.”

The 50 quarterfinalist communities have six months to complete their comprehensive Community Revitalization Plans and compete for additional investment. In early 2016, 15 semifinalists will be selected to attend the America’s Best Communities summit to present their strategies and eight finalists will be awarded another $100,000 to continue implementation of their plans.

In April 2017, America’s Best Communities will name its three competition winners — those communities best able to dream big and deliver on those dreams. The winning community will be awarded $3 million, with $2 million for second place and $1 million for third.

For additional information on the competition, please visit www.americasbestcommunities.com.

About FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS

Frontier Communications Corporation (NYSE:FTR, news, filings) offers broadband, voice, video, wireless Internet data access, data security solutions, bundled offerings, specialized bundles for residential customers, small businesses and home offices and advanced communications for medium and large businesses in 28 states. Frontier’s approximately 17,400 employees are based entirely in the United States. More information is available atwww.frontier.com.

About DISH

DISH Network Corp. (NASDAQ:DISH), through its subsidiaries, provides approximately 13.978 million pay-TV subscribers, as of Dec. 31, 2014, with the highest-quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value. Subscribers enjoy a high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 250 company. Visit www.dish.com.

About CoBank

CoBank is a $107 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country. CoBank is a member of theFarm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture and the nation’s rural economy. Visit www.cobank.com.

About The Weather Channel

Through The Weather Channel (weather.com) and Weather Underground (wunderground.com) brands, The Weather Company provides millions of people every day with the world’s best weather forecasts, content and data, connecting with them through television, online, mobile and tablet screens, as well as third-party publishing partners via API. Through WSI, the company delivers superior professional weather services for the media, aviation and energy sectors. For more information, visit www.theweathercompany.com.