Integra Telecom Inc. just provided Oaks Education of Spokane a year of free T1 Internet service.

The telecom and Internet provider made the selection through a random drawing from names of worthy nonprofits submitted by people in the community. Oaks Education Association runs a Christian Academy in Spokane Valley.

The donation of free T1 broadband service is part of Integra’s Community Matters program, which supports initiatives and organizations that benefit the lives of people in the communities that Integra serves.

The drawing was held this week at Integra’s new Spokane office in downtown. Joe Shogan, city council president, drew the winning entry.

A minor addition to our earlier post about Integra Telecom offering a free year of T1 connectivity for a qualifying Spokane nonprofit organization. The post ran on June 30.

Melissa Moore, a spokeswoman for Portland-based Integra Telecom, said the value of the service is between $5,000 and $6,000.

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Spokane telecom company Integra Telecom is ready to give away one full year of T1 Internet service. Yes. A free year, to an eligible Spokane-area nonprofit that meets the guidelines of the contest.

The contest requires a nomination of an eligible area nonprofit. Following the deadline of July 16, a random drawing from qualifying entries will be made. The 10 most nominated groups will be entered into the drawing on July 27 at Integra Telecom’s ribbon cutting ceremony and open house.

Businesses can nominate a worthwhile nonprofit at the Community Connection page of Integra Telecom, at this link. Nominations can also be presented at Integra’s new Spokane office, 201 N. River Drive, or via e-mail at SpokaneCommunityConnection@IntegraTelecom.com.

Nominees must be a 501 C3 or C4 group with an established office within Integra Telecom’s Spokane County service area.

The organization’s mission must serve at least one of the following criteria: youth, wellness and community.

Portland-based Integra Telecom Inc. is expanding its Spokane operations, saying it will double its current workforce of nine in the next six to nine months. The company provides voice and data services to business customers.

It also plans to open a second office at 201 N. River Drive in June. Its current Spokane Valley office is at 9515 E. Sprague. Dana Richardson, branch manager for Integra Telecom, will oversee operations of the company’s Eastern Washington market.

A press release said Integra is making the move as it sees good business growth prospects in the region. “The timing, conditions and environment are now ripe to successfully launch our full service offering in the region,”  Washington Senior Vice President Mark Blosch said in a press release.