Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
WASHINGTON – RTC Communications went beyond the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony for its new office space in downtown Washington.
The fiber internet company celebrated the transformation of a Main Street building earlier this month with a concert at the adjacent Washington Commons that drew 2,000 people to the downtown open air event center.
RTC CEO Kirk Lehman wanted a celebration that was as big and bold as the restored building in a way that would bring the community together to see the potential of downtown.
“It was by far the largest gathering Washington Commons had ever seen,” said Alan Brown “And it wasn’t just a concert – it was a moment of connection. Proof that when you build with intention, people show up.”
RTC’s downtown building revival
RTC’s main office is in Montgomery. As the company was outgrowing that space, it was looking to expand. Expansion ideas came and went – a second floor was risky, relocating was costly, said Bryan Baumert, RTC marketing coordinator. Four years ago, RTC began installing fiber in Washington. As RTC added customers in Washington, there was a need for a location close to those customers.
A visit to the site that would eventually become the Washington Commons turned out to be the answer RTC was looking for.
Adjacent to the Commons site was the Lighthouse Recovery Center for Women. The old downtown building was vacant. Baumert and RTC Marketing Director Adria Brelage saw a great opportunity that would bring more than extra square footage.
This building represented an opportunity to:
- Anchor the commons
- Connect with the community face-to-face
- Breathe new life into an old building and make it extraordinary
“This was going to be transformational,” Brelage said. “This building was going to be a game changer for RTC and the community.”
Lehman and Nate Willis, RTC’s CFO, were on board with the idea to buy the building.
Brelage and Willis, who both previously worked at Kimball International, have a passion for design and understand the impact great architecture has on its surroundings.
Their plan was to restore the character and reinvent the function. Their vision was a modern industrial aesthetic that would breathe new life into the shotgun-style building.
“I want this to be a place where those who are looking to bring their businesses to Daviess County say, ‘Daviess County has the right people doing the right things to build opportunities for growth.’ These Daviess County businesses believe in the community and so should we,” Brelage said.
The vision included large windows, exposed brick and rafters, reimagined front, open concept lobby, flexible event space upstairs and a rooftop balcony overlooking the Commons. A flexible working space lets employees the option of working in the Montgomery or Washington offices.
The transformed building’s new front makes a bold statement. A backlit, vertical signage pops from the cedar siding. The brick was painted black to complement the Commons.
All the work was done locally, from furniture to contractors. Partners included local contractor Jackson Knepp, DC Metals and TM Office Solutions (Kimball International).
What once was a worn out, weathered building is now a beautiful example of what’s possible.
Brandy Weiland, Discover Downtown Washington’s executive director, described RTC’s new home as “a tremendous addition to downtown Washington” that brings visibility and vitality to Main Street.
“It signals confidence in our downtown, generates new foot traffic for small businesses, and shows how public and private investment can work hand-in-hand to create momentum,” Weiland said. “What’s especially exciting is that RTC hasn’t just brought their presence, they’ve already jumped in with hands-on-community support! From participating in local initiatives to showing up for downtown events, they’ve made it clear that they want to be an active partner in our shared success. That kind of engagement is exactly what helps a community thrive.”
RTC investing in community
RTC offers residential and business fiber internet in Daviess, Martin, Knox and Lawrence counties. RTC also offers state-of-the-art security systems and business phone systems.
Founded in 1949 as a rural telephone cooperative, RTC has evolved to serve the changing needs of its customers. It has grown to 47 employees and serves about 9,000 customers, double the number it served four years ago.
“Our mission is to show the entire community that fiber broadband is as necessary as water and electricity. It is the future and being connected in rural Indiana is vital, for everyone,” Brelage said. It’s no longer about being able to watch TV, working from home, or playing video games. Home and personal safety are on the rise. It’s also about keeping our families safe whether it be health or security. The world is changing, and RTC brings the solutions to bring that safety.
Expanding fiber in our Southern Indiana rural areas is a challenge because homes and businesses are spread out between our Amish community, but the demand for fiber is fueling growth.
“With more health care providers using telehealth, more people working from home and NSWC Crane close by, more people understand the benefits of fiber internet,” Baumert said.
A concert for 2,000
The concert Oct. 4 featured Nashville musician James Carothers and over $10,000 in prizes.
If the crowd of 2,000 didn’t signal its approval of RTC’s community gesture, plenty of others did.
“I appreciate all the hard work that was put into the event, which was a great success and all the improvements made to your Washington RTC office facility,” said Washington Mayor David Rhoads. This addison, along with the newly developed Commons, is truly a great attraction to all citizens of the City of Washington and Daviess County. Thank you to RTC for being a vital part of our community.”
“The RTC grand opening event was well organized and provided great entertainment for people of all ages,” said Jordan Sherman, CEO of NASCO. Thank you to the RTC Communications team for taking me on a tour of the new office area, which looks spectacular. And how about that rooftop patio? That’s where you watch a show at the Commons!”
Shane Matthews, chairman of 20th Century Chevy Carfest said the atmosphere was electric.
“It truly felt like a celebration of everything that makes our town special,” he said. “The new RTC building is a beautiful addition to downtown Washington and will no doubt serve as a cornerstone for future growth and community gatherings.”
As a Main Street Indiana organization, Discover Downtown Washington is focused on supporting economic vitality, strengthening downtown as a place to do business and encouraging investment in the district. Weiland said the new RTC building delivers on all points.
“We see this as a catalyst project that will help connect more people to the assets and experiences our downtown has to offer,” she said.