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NEW YORK, April 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — ZRF Partners, a growth-oriented private equity firm, today announced the formation of Blue Mountain Networks to deploy Fiber Optic networks in the Northwest United States.

Blue Mountain Networks combined the operations of Hood River-based Gorge Networks with Hermiston-based Eastern Oregon Telecom to accelerate expansion of fiber technology to residential and small business customers. The combined company provides high-speed internet, voice and data services to residential and business customers in 29 communities in Oregon and Washington.

“Symmetrical fiber-optic connectivity is a must-have in today’s world. Exponential growth in bandwidth consumption, connected devices and streaming applications continues to drive fiber demand. Blue Mountain Networks is well positioned to provide much-needed digital infrastructure in communities across Oregon, Washington and Idaho,” said Faisal Nisar, Managing Director of ZRF Partners.

“We are accelerating our fiber expansion to create “Gigabit Communities” and enable our customers to fully participate in the ever-growing digital economy, work remotely, access telemedicine and earn an online education,” said Joe Franell, President of Eastern Oregon Telecom and Blue Mountain Networks.

“ZRF’s growth capital and industry expertise allows us to rapidly expand our fiber footprint and deliver a customer value and experience in small towns and rural communities that is better than most large cities,” commented Dan Bubb, President of Gorge Networks.

Stephen Barraclough, former CEO of Burlington Telecom, a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Burlington, VT, leads Blue Mountain Networks as Executive Chairman. Gary Evans, founder and former CEO of Hiawatha Broadband Communications, a FTTH provider in Minnesota, has joined Blue Mountain Network’s Board of Directors.

About ZRF Partners: ZRF Partners is a private investment firm focused on building value through operational and strategic improvements. Working side-by-side with management to drive growth through relentless operational execution and deploying transformative initiatives, ZRF’s approach ensures that a company’s full potential is realized. For more information visit www.zrfpartners.com.

About Gorge Networks: Gorge Networks is a leading Internet service provider in the mid-Columbia region of Oregon and Washington providing services to 17 communities in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Skamania and Klickitat counties. For more information visit www.gorge.net.

About Eastern Oregon Telecom: EOT is a leading Internet service provider in Eastern Oregon, offering high-speed Internet and voice services to 12 communities in Umatilla, Morrow and Benton counties.