Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contacts:  David Christensen, CFO
	507-387-3355
	Jennifer Spaude, Investor Relations
	507-386-3765

HickoryTech Reports Third Quarter 2010 Earnings Results

·   Revenue increased 25 percent

·   Pre-tax income up 77 percent

·   Enventis fiber and data revenue grew 53 percent

·   Telecom Broadband revenue increased 16 percent

MANKATO, Minn., October 25, 2010 — HickoryTech Corporation (Nasdaq: HTCO) today reported third quarter fiscal 2010 operating results highlighted by strong growth in its Enventis Sector and progress with its fiber expansion plans.  HickoryTech’s third quarter revenue totaled $43.5 million, up 25 percent year over year.  Net income totaled $5.0 million, or 38 cents per diluted share.  A release of income tax reserves added $1.9 million to the third quarter fiscal 2010 net income, and a similar release of tax reserve in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 added $4.4 million.  Excluding the income tax release in both years, net income would have increased $1.5 million, or 89 percent over the same quarter one year ago.  Pre-tax income for the third quarter 2010 was $5.3 million, an increase of 77 percent compared to a year ago, due to operational success and a decrease in interest expense.

“We are on track to meet our financial objectives for the year and complete the fiber expansion projects to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Fargo, North Dakota by year end,” said John Finke, HickoryTech’s president and chief executive officer.  “Our business is performing well and I’m pleased with the 53 percent growth in fiber and data services, the strong rebound in our equipment and services business and the 16 percent growth in broadband services.”

“We are moving forward with implementation plans for our broadband stimulus project following the notification of our $16.8 million U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) broadband infrastructure award this past quarter,” said Finke

“While our traditional telephone business remains an important component in our strategy, we continue to transform HickoryTech into a company focused primarily on delivering broadband and business services over our regional fiber optic network,” added Finke. “As we work toward our five-year goal to double the value of our company, we are executing a disciplined growth strategy, one that will increase shareholder value and strengthen our position as a leading communications provider.”

As part of HickoryTech’s growth plan, the company is extending its fiber network to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Fargo, North Dakota and is upgrading its fiber network in Des Moines, Iowa.  HickoryTech’s fiber expansion efforts  include a joint construction project with another carrier, which contributed $3.3 million of revenue and $1.9 million of pretax income to third quarter operating results within the Enventis fiber and data product line. These projects will be completed by year-end 2010.

Enventis Sector (before intersegment eliminations)

Enventis Sector revenue before eliminations totaled $25.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010, up 45 percent compared to one year ago.  Costs and expenses in the Enventis Sector, including depreciation, totaled $22.1 million, an increase of 38 percent year-over-year.  Enventis Sector net income totaled $2.0 million, up 125 percent from the $0.9 million reported one year ago.

·   Fiber and data revenue totaled $13.4 million, up 53 percent year-over-year, the result of revenue from a joint fiber construction project, strong sales of fiber services, and the addition of CP Telecom.  Fiber and data revenue increased 16 percent excluding the impact from the fiber construction project.

·   Equipment and service revenue totaled $12.1 million, up 38 percent year-over-year.  Net income for equipment and services increased significantly for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to last year, due to an increase in sales and lower operating costs.

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Telecom Sector (before intersegment eliminations)

Telecom Sector revenue totaled $18.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2010, a 5 percent increase year-over-year, primarily driven from the 16 percent growth in broadband revenue and 35 percent increase in bill processing revenue.  Additionally, a one-time Telecom customer settlement of $275,000 increased Other Revenue during the quarter.  Costs and expenses including depreciation totaled $15.6 million, up 8 percent year-over-year.  Telecom net income for the quarter totaled $1.8 million, a 10 percent decrease from one year ago.

·   Broadband revenue totaled $3.6 million, up 16 percent from the comparable period in fiscal 2009.  Broadband revenue includes DSL, Data and Digital TV services.  Digital TV subscribers increased 10 percent, to 10,301.   DSL subscribers increased 1 percent, to 19,642.

·   Network access revenue was $5.8 million, down 3 percent year-over-year.

·   Local service revenue totaled $3.6 million, down 4 percent and local access lines declined 8 percent.

Capital Expenditures and Debt Position

Capital expenditures totaled $6.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2010, and were $2.5 million higher than the comparable period in fiscal 2009.  Enventis Sector capital expenditures totaled $4.8 million and the Telecom Sector capital expenditures were $1.7 million.  HickoryTech’s long-term and current debt position, as of September 30, 2010, was $122 million, an increase of $700,000 from the previous quarter ended June 30, 2010. The company’s fiber construction project along with increased equipment sales caused a temporary increase in debt at the end of third quarter.

2010 Annual Company Guidance Increased

HickoryTech increased its fiscal 2010 net income guidance and affirmed its previous guidance as follows:

·   Revenue is targeted in the range of $150 million to $158 million (no change).

·   Net Income is targeted in the range of $11.6 million to $12.5 million (previously $9.7 to $10.6 million).

·   Capital spending is targeted in the range of $22 million to $26 million (no change).

·   EBITDA is targeted in the range of $41.5 million to $44 million (no change).

·   A year-end debt balance is targeted in the range of $117 million to $120 million (no change).

Conference Call and Webcast

HickoryTech will host a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, October 26 at 9 a.m. CT. The dial-in number for the call is 877-774-2369 (U.S. and Canada) and the participant pass code is 15945152.  A simultaneous webcast of the call and presentation will be available through a link on HickoryTech’s Investor Relations webpage at http://investor.hickorytech.com.

About HickoryTech

HickoryTech Corporation (dba HickoryTech and Enventis) is a leading integrated communications provider in the markets it serves.  With headquarters in Mankato, Minn., the corporation has approximately 450 employees and a regional fiber network with facilities-based operations in Minnesota and Iowa.  Enventis serves businesses of all sizes across a five-state region with IP-based voice, data and network solutions.  HickoryTech provides bundled residential and business services including high-speed Internet, Digital TV and voice services in its legacy telecom markets.  The Company trades on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange (symbol: HTCO). For more information, visit www.hickorytech.com.

Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement the Company’s financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, the Company provides certain non-GAAP financial measures of financial performance. These non-GAAP measures include earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. The Company’s reference to these non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to results prepared under current accounting standards, but are not a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.  These non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the Company’s current financial performance and ability to generate cash flows. In many cases non-GAAP financial measures are used by analysts and investors to evaluate the Company’s performance. Reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure included in this press release can be found in the financial table included below. 

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Forward-looking Statement

Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry in which HickoryTech operates and management's beliefs and assumptions. The forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and probabilities. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. HickoryTech undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

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Consolidated Statement of Operations

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30						%			Nine Months Ended September 30						%
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)	2010			2009			Change			2010			2009			Change
Revenue:
Enventis Sector
Equipment	$	9,954		$	6,604			51	%	$	27,906		$	18,788			49	%
Services		15,421			10,858			42	%		39,951			29,085			37	%
Total Enventis Sector		25,375			17,462			45	%		67,857			47,873			42	%
Telecom Sector		18,105			17,446			4	%		52,611			52,899			-1	%
Total revenue		43,480			34,908			25	%		120,468			100,772			20	%
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization		8,519			5,653			51	%		23,968			16,369			46	%
Cost of services, excluding depreciation and amortization		16,458			13,404			23	%		45,402			37,817			20	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		6,669			5,817			15	%		18,425			16,379			12	%
Depreciation		5,356			5,068			6	%		15,900			14,967			6	%
Amortization of intangibles		90			272			-67	%		268			699			-62	%
Total costs and expenses		37,092			30,214			23	%		103,963			86,231			21	%
Operating income		6,388			4,694			36	%		16,505			14,541			14	%
Interest and other income		11			14			-21	%		62			55			13	%
Interest expense		(1,128	)		(1,728	)		-35	%		(3,820	)		(5,155	)		-26	%
Income before income taxes		5,271			2,980			77	%		12,747			9,441			35	%
Income taxes		228			(3,126	)		-107	%		2,767			(408	)		-778	%
Net income	$	5,043		$	6,106			-17	%	$	9,980		$	9,849			1	%
Basic earnings per share	$	0.38		$	0.47			-19	%	$	0.76		$	0.75			1	%
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		13,263,600			13,080,538						13,215,046			13,049,686
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.38		$	0.47			-19	%	$	0.76		$	0.75			1	%
Diluted weighted avg.  common & equivalent shares outstanding		13,264,996			13,083,843						13,217,325			13,049,686
Dividends per share	$	0.13		$	0.13			0	%	$	0.39		$	0.39			0	%

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Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

(Dollars and Share Data in Thousands)		September 30, 2010			December 31, 2009
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	100		$	2,420
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,107and $643		26,895			19,729
Inventories		6,591			5,069
Deferred income taxes		2,423			2,423
Prepaid expenses		2,218			1,751
Other		1,011			1,039
Total current assets		39,238			32,431
Investments		4,492			4,306
Property, plant and equipment		373,357			357,607
Accumulated depreciation		(218,985	)		(204,129	)
Property, plant and equipment, net		154,372			153,478
Other assets:
Goodwill		27,303			27,423
Intangible assets, net		2,757			3,025
Deferred costs and other		1,606			1,820
Total other assets		31,666			32,268
Total assets	$	229,768		$	222,483
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Extended term payable	$	9,813		$	6,788
Accounts payable		3,571			2,883
Accrued expenses and other		8,207			7,792
Accrued income taxes		307			642
Deferred revenue		4,580			6,016
Financial derivative instruments		1,423			-
Current maturities of long-term obligations		1,188			620
Total current liabilities		29,089			24,741
Long-term liabilities:
Debt obligations, net of current maturities		120,795			119,871
Financial derivative instruments		-			1,908
Accrued income taxes		542			3,218
Deferred income taxes		22,486			21,895
Deferred revenue		1,433			2,095
Accrued employee benefits and deferred compensation		14,826			14,209
Total long-term liabilities		160,082			163,196
Total liabilities		189,171			187,937
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, no par value, $.10 stated value
Shares authorized: 100,000
Shares issued and outstanding: 13,283 in 2010 and 13,101 in 2009		1,328			1,310
Additional paid-in capital		13,703			12,975
Retained earnings		29,521			24,687
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)		(3,955	)		(4,426	)
Total shareholders' equity		40,597			34,546
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	229,768		$	222,483

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Enventis Sector Recap

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30				%			Nine Months Ended September 30				%
(Dollars In thousands)	2010		2009		Change			2010		2009		Change
Revenue before intersegment eliminations
Equipment	$	9,954	$	6,604		51	%	$	27,906	$	18,788		49	%
Services		2,164		2,183		-1	%		6,373		7,273		-12	%
Equipment and Services		12,118		8,787					34,279		26,061
Fiber and Data		13,257		8,675		53	%		33,578		21,812		54	%
Intersegment		157		106		48	%		387		389		-1	%
	$	25,532	$	17,568		45	%	$	68,244	$	48,262		41	%
Total Enventis revenue before intersegment eliminations
Unaffiliated customers	$	25,375	$	17,462				$	67,857	$	47,873
Intersegment		157		106					387		389
	$	25,532	$	17,568				$	68,244	$	48,262
Cost of sales  (excluding depreciation and amortization)		8,519		5,653		51	%		23,968		16,369		46	%
Cost of services  (excluding depreciation and amortization)		8,600		6,177		39	%		22,881		16,264		41	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		3,476		2,756		26	%		9,510		7,439		28	%
Depreciation and amortization		1,535		1,459		5	%		4,305		3,809		13	%
Total costs and expenses		22,130		16,045		38	%		60,664		43,881		38	%
Operating income	$	3,402	$	1,523		123	%	$	7,580	$	4,381		73	%
Net income	$	2,023	$	901		125	%	$	4,498	$	2,600		73	%
Capital expenditures	$	4,830	$	1,438		236	%	$	10,801	$	4,891		121	%

Enventis Equipment and Services Product Line

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30					%			Nine Months Ended September 30
(Dollars in thousands)	2010		2009			Change			2010		2009		% Change
Revenue before intersegment eliminations
Equipment	$	9,954	$	6,604			51	%	$	27,906	$	18,788		49	%
Services		2,164		2,183			-1	%		6,373		7,273		-12	%
	$	12,118	$	8,787			38	%	$	34,279	$	26,061		32	%
Cost of sales  (excluding depreciation and amortization)		8,519		5,728			49	%		23,968		16,427		46	%
Cost of services  (excluding depreciation and amortization)		1,666		1,664			0	%		5,078		5,265		-4	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		1,319		1,303			1	%		3,547		3,802		-7	%
Depreciation and amortization		120		121			-1	%		270		307		-12	%
Total costs and expenses		11,624		8,816			32	%		32,863		25,801		27	%
Operating income	$	494	$	(29	)		N/A		$	1,416	$	260		445	%
Net income	$	293	$	(17	)		N/A		$	858	$	156		450	%
Capital expenditures	$	78	$	62			26	%	$	212	$	324		-35	%

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Enventis Fiber and Data Product Line

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30					%			Nine Months Ended September 30					%
(Dollars in thousands)	2010		2009			Change			2010		2009			Change
Revenue before intersegment eliminations:
Services	$	13,257	$	8,675			53	%	$	33,578	$	21,812			54	%
Intersegment		157		106			48	%		387		389			-1	%
	$	13,414	$	8,781			53	%	$	33,965	$	22,201			53	%
Cost of sales  (excluding depreciation and amortization)		-		(75	)		-100	%		-		(58	)		-100	%
Cost of services  (excluding depreciation and amortization)		6,934		4,513			54	%		17,803		10,999			62	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		2,157		1,453			48	%		5,963		3,637			64	%
Depreciation and amortization		1,415		1,338			6	%		4,035		3,502			15	%
Total costs and expenses		10,506		7,229			45	%		27,801		18,080			54	%
Operating income	$	2,908	$	1,552			87	%	$	6,164	$	4,121			50	%
Net income	$	1,730	$	918			88	%	$	3,640	$	2,444			49	%
Capital expenditures	$	4,752	$	1,376			245	%	$	10,589	$	4,567			132	%

Telecom Sector Recap

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30				%			Nine Months Ended September 30				%
(Dollars in thousands)	2010		2009		Change			2010		2009		Change
Revenue
Local Service	$	3,643	$	3,802		-4	%	$	10,946	$	11,559		-5	%
Network Access		5,812		5,993		-3	%		17,791		18,158		-2	%
Long Distance		800		872		-8	%		2,420		2,930		-17	%
Broadband		3,576		3,077		16	%		10,079		8,940		13	%
Internet		1,294		1,233		5	%		3,788		3,739		1	%
Directory		912		971		-6	%		2,717		3,071		-12	%
Bill Processing		1,148		849		35	%		2,725		2,479		10	%
Intersegment		562		367		53	%		1,459		844		73	%
Other		920		649		42	%		2,145		2,023		6	%
Total Telecom Revenue	$	18,667	$	17,813		5	%	$	54,070	$	53,743		1	%
Total Telecom revenue before intersegment eliminations
Unaffiliated Customers	$	18,105	$	17,446				$	52,611	$	52,899
Intersegment		562		367					1,459		844
		18,667		17,813					54,070		53,743
Costs and expenses
Cost of services, excluding depreciation and amortization		8,539		7,668		11	%		24,252		22,684		7	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		3,185		2,882		11	%		9,168		8,756		5	%
Depreciation and amortization		3,881		3,856		1	%		11,772		11,803		0	%
Total costs and expenses		15,605		14,406		8	%		45,192		43,243		5	%
Operating income	$	3,062	$	3,407		-10	%	$	8,878	$	10,500		-15	%
Net income	$	1,818	$	2,016		-10	%	$	4,998	$	6,199		-19	%
Capital expenditures	$	1,688	$	2,589		-35	%	$	6,209	$	6,375		-3	%
Key Metrics
Business access lines		24,468		25,542		-4	%
Residential access lines		28,028		31,385		-11	%
Total access lines		52,496		56,927		-8	%
Long distance customers		34,459		36,761		-6	%
DSL customers		19,642		19,511		1	%
Digital TV customers		10,301		9,386		10	%

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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

	Three Months Ended September 30					Nine Months Ended September 30
	2010		2009			2010		2009
(Dollars in thousands)
Reconciliation of net income to EBITDA:
Net income	$	5,043	$	6,106		$	9,980	$	9,849
Add:
Depreciation		5,356		5,068			15,900		14,967
Amortization of intangibles		90		272			268		699
Interest expense		1,128		1,728			3,820		5,155
Taxes		228		(3,126	)		2,767		(408	)
EBITDA	$	11,845	$	10,048		$	32,735	$	30,262
Reconciliation of net income to net income without release of income tax reserve:
Net income	$	5,043	$	6,106		$	9,980	$	9,849
Deduct: Income tax reserve release		1,919		4,454			2,726		4,454
Net income excluding income tax reserve release	$	3,124	$	1,652		$	7,254	$	5,395
	Year Ending
	December 31, 2010
(Dollars in thousands)	Guidance Range
Reconciliation of net income to 2010 EBITDA guidance:	Low		High
Projected net income	$	11,600	$	12,500
Add back:
Depreciation and amortization		21,600		22,000
Interest expense		4,800		5,000
Income tax expense		3,500		4,500
Projected EBITDA 1	$	41,500	$	44,000
1 EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, is as defined in our debt agreement