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FairPoint Communications has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Services will continue uninterrupted as the company restructures itself. The business is not closing, officials said Wednesday, Oct. 28.

“This is in no way affecting our customers,” said JoAnn Lawson, FairPoint spokesperson in Kearney.

A press release dated Monday, Oct. 26, on the company’s Web site — www.fairpoint.com — stated that the company reached an agreement on a “comprehensive financing restructuring plan.”

“The bottom line is it’s going to give us liquid assets,” Lawson said.

FairPoint provides more than 3,000 phone lines to 2,711 customers in the Kearney area. The company also provides Internet and cable services. FairPoint serves customers in Platte City, Peculiar, Americus and other rural towns in Missouri.

“Above all else, we want the customers to know this will not be service affecting in any way,” Lawson said.

The restructuring plan is expected to reduce the company’s debt by $1.7 billion, according to the press release.

Lawson said she wasn’t sure how this would affect debt with local companies and vendors, but felt many should be paid.

“The day-to-day operations of our business will not be impacted by today’s actions,” David Hauser, chairman and CEO of FairPoint, stated in the press release. “We want to assure our customers, employees and vendors that we remain committed to continuing to provide reliable, uninterrupted service to all our customers.”

Hauser’s comments continued, stating the restructuring will help the business compete more effectively.

“It sounds as though we’re going to be much more solid than we were last Friday,” Lawson said Wednesday, Oct. 28.

FairPoint also serves customers in New England, Ohio, Illinois, Oklahoma, Kansas, Florida, Idaho and Washington.

Chapter 11 typically includes a plan for reorganization and paying debtors over time, according to www.uscourts.gov.

For more information on FairPoint’s actions, visit www.fprestructuring.com or call 888-290-4881.

Kearney Editor Kevin M. Smith can be reached at 628-6010 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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