What ever happened to co-ops?? Back in the 50’s we lived in a very rural community with no phone service. The community got together and started a phone company for basicly cost.
More on rural co-operativees http://www.cabotcheese.coop/pages/about_us/index.php?cooperative_secret=spectrum
Land O Lakes butter is a co-op http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_O%27Lakes
Ocean Spray cranberries is a co-op http://www.oceanspray.com/Who-We-Are/Heritage/Our-History.aspx
Cabot cheese is a co-op http://www.cabotcheese.coop/pages/about_us/