> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://broadbandbreakfast.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Grain Management to Combine Ritter, Great Plains Into 20-State Fiber Platform
- URL: https://broadbandbreakfast.com/grain-management-to-combine-ritter-great-plains-into-20-state-fiber-platform/
- Published: 2026-06-17T20:18:13.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-18T21:48:54.000Z
- Description: The pending deal would create Rightfiber and expand Grain’s regional fiber reach
- Author: Zach Stark
- Tags: Fiber, #with-siderail, Great Plains Communications, Heath Simpson, Todd Foje, Rightfiber, Grain Management, Ritter communications, Rural

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2026 – Grain Management is betting that regional fiber providers need to get bigger to stay competitive.

The new company, Rightfiber, would bring together Jonesboro, Arkansas-based Ritter Communications and Blair, Nebraska-based Great Plains Communications. The combined operator would serve more than 400 communities, connect 300,000 homes and businesses, and operate a 28,000-mile regional fiber network, the [companies said Tuesday](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grain-management-announces-strategic-combination-of-ritter-communications-and-great-plains-communications-to-form-rightfiber-302801795.html?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com). 

[![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/2026/06/250_and_150_card-jpg-1.jpg)](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/telecom150-2/) 

[***Learn about America250 / Telecom150**](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/telecom150-2/)

[Learn about America250 / Telecom150 ](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/telecom150-2/) 

**Heath Simpson**, currently CEO of Ritter, will lead Rightfiber. **Todd Foje**, CEO of Great Plains, will serve as executive chairman.

The combination follows Great Plains’ [pending acquisition](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/great-plains-communications-to-acquire-fastwyre-broadbands-nebraska-holdings/) of Fastwyre Broadband’s Nebraska operations, another Grain-backed expansion move.

The move gives Grain a larger platform for fiber expansion and acquisitions at a time when regional providers are trying to scale for broadband grants, enterprise connectivity, and growing demand from hyperscalers and other high-capacity users.

The company said Rightfiber would pursue growth through both network expansion and M&A, a signal that the new brand could be more than a holding-company reshuffle.