Lakedale of Annandale eliminates 20 jobs

ANNANDALE, MN –  Twenty employees of Lakedale Telephone Company (Lakedale Communications) were notified Friday that their jobs are being eliminated. Lakedale, a subsidiary of Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc., (Iowa Telecom) announced the reductions are the result of overlapping duties and operational synergies between the Annandale office and other offices operated by Iowa Telecom, which merged with Lakedale last year.

Gene South, Lakedale’s General Manager, said, “I’ve worked for Lakedale for 17 years, and this has been one of our most difficult days I can remember. The employees who have been let go are talented, and it has been a privilege to work with each one of them. This reduction in local staff stems from a redundancy in duties within the merged companies, and in no way is a reflection on their performance or contribution to Lakedale Communications. I wish them all the best. ”

No change in services offered to customers is anticipated.