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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2002  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Registration No. 333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Washington, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM S-8<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>RURAL CELLULAR CORPORATION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Minnesota</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>41-1693295</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(State or Other Jurisdiction<BR>
of Incorporation or Organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(IRS Employer<BR>
Identification No.)<BR></FONT>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>3905 Dakota Street<BR>
P. O. Box 2000<BR>
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308-2000<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>RURAL CELLULAR STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Full title of the plan) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Richard P. Ekstrand, President<BR>
3905 Dakota Street<BR>
P. O. Box 2000<BR>
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308-2000<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Name and address of agent for service) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>(320)&nbsp;762-2000<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><I>Copies to:<BR>  </I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Deanne M. Greco, Esq.<BR>
Moss&nbsp;&amp; Barnett<BR>
A Professional Association<BR>
4800 Wells Fargo Center<BR>
90 South 7th Street<BR>
Minneapolis, MN 55402<BR>
Telephone: (612)&nbsp;347-0287  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of Securities to be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount to be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share(1)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of Registration Fee</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD COLSPAN=9 VALIGN="BOTTOM"><HR NOSHADE></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="35%"><FONT SIZE=2>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>190,000 shares</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$2.68</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$509,200</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$46.85</FONT></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Estimated
solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Class&nbsp;A Common Stock as reported by The Nasdaq
National Market on May&nbsp;28, 2002. </FONT></DD></DL>
<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>If
any of the Securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule&nbsp;415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following
box.&nbsp;<FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#253;</FONT> </FONT></P>

</UL>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><B>This registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 is being filed for the purpose of registering an additional 190,000 shares of Class&nbsp;A Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share, of Rural Cellular Corporation, to be issued pursuant to the Rural Cellular Corporation Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors. The contents of Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (SEC No.&nbsp;333-10815), filed August&nbsp;26, 1996, relating to the Rural Cellular Corporation Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors,
are incorporated herein by reference in accordance with General Instruction E to Form&nbsp;S-8.  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>2</FONT></P>

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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Alexandria, State of Minnesota, on May&nbsp;30, 2002. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>RURAL CELLULAR CORPORATION</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>RICHARD P. EKSTRAND</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Richard P. Ekstrand<BR>
President</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>3</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW
ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Richard P. Ekstrand, Wesley E. Schultz, Ann K. Newhall and Deanne M. Greco, and
each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her and in his or her name, place, and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated: </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="40%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Name</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Date</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>RICHARD P. EKSTRAND</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Richard P. Ekstrand</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Chief executive officer (principal executive officer) and director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>May 30, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>WESLEY E. SCHULTZ</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Wesley E. Schultz</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Chief financial officer (principal financial officer) and director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 30, 2002</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>DAVID DEL ZOPPO</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> David Del Zoppo</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Vice President, Finance and Accounting (principal accounting officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 30, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>PAUL FINNEGAN</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Paul Finnegan</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 30, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JEFFREY S. GILBERT</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Jeffrey S. Gilbert</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 30, 2002</FONT></TD>
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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOHN HUNT</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> John Hunt</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 30, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ANN K. NEWHALL</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Ann K. Newhall</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 30, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>MARVIN C. NICOLAI</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Marvin C. Nicolai</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 30, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>GEORGE M. REVERING</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> George M. Revering</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 30, 2002</FONT></TD>
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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>DON SWENSON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Don Swenson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 30, 2002</FONT></TD>
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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>GEORGE WIKSTROM JR.</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> George Wikstrom Jr.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 30, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></P>

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NAME="page_je2032_1_5"> </A> </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
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<A NAME="toc_je2032_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT INDEX    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit No.<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="81%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Description of Exhibit</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="5%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Page<BR>
No.</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="9%"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="81%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Counsel</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="9%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="81%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="9%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="81%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Independent Public Accountants</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="9%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="81%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Powers of Attorney from Messrs. Ekstrand, Schultz, Del Zoppo, Finnegan, Gilbert, Hunt, Nicolai, Revering, Swenson, Wikstrom and Ms. Newhall (included on signature page)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></P>

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<BR>
<P><br><A NAME="02STP2032_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc2032_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_je2032_1">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></FONT><BR>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "RURAL CELLULAR CORP", "cik": "0000869561", "assigned-sic": "4812", "irs-number": "411693295", "state-of-incorporation": "MN", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-89448", "film-number": "02667398"}, "business-address": {"street1": "3905 DAKOTA ST SW", "street2": "P O BOX 2000", "city": "ALEXANDRIA", "state": "MN", "zip": "56308", "phone": "3207622000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "P O BOX 2000", "city": "ALEXANDRIA", "state": "MN", "zip": "56038"}}
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2002
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
RURAL CELLULAR CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Minnesota
41-1693295
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
3905 Dakota Street
P. O. Box 2000
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308-2000
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
RURAL CELLULAR STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
(Full title of the plan)
Richard P. Ekstrand, President
3905 Dakota Street
P. O. Box 2000
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308-2000
(Name and address of agent for service)
(320) 762-2000
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Deanne M. Greco, Esq.
Moss & Barnett
A Professional Association
4800 Wells Fargo Center
90 South 7th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Telephone: (612) 347-0287
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to be Registered
Amount to be Registered
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share(1)
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)
Amount of Registration Fee
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value
190,000 shares
$2.68
$509,200
$46.85
(1)
Estimated
solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Class A Common Stock as reported by The Nasdaq
National Market on May 28, 2002.
If
any of the Securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following
box.
ý
This registration statement on Form S-8 is being filed for the purpose of registering an additional 190,000 shares of Class A Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share, of Rural Cellular Corporation, to be issued pursuant to the Rural Cellular Corporation Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors. The contents of Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (SEC No. 333-10815), filed August 26, 1996, relating to the Rural Cellular Corporation Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors,
are incorporated herein by reference in accordance with General Instruction E to Form S-8.
2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Alexandria, State of Minnesota, on May 30, 2002.
RURAL CELLULAR CORPORATION
By:
/s/
RICHARD P. EKSTRAND
Richard P. Ekstrand
President
3
KNOW
ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Richard P. Ekstrand, Wesley E. Schultz, Ann K. Newhall and Deanne M. Greco, and
each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her and in his or her name, place, and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Name
Title
Date
/s/
RICHARD P. EKSTRAND
Richard P. Ekstrand
Chief executive officer (principal executive officer) and director
May 30, 2002
/s/
WESLEY E. SCHULTZ
Wesley E. Schultz
Chief financial officer (principal financial officer) and director
May 30, 2002
/s/
DAVID DEL ZOPPO
David Del Zoppo
Vice President, Finance and Accounting (principal accounting officer)
May 30, 2002
/s/
PAUL FINNEGAN
Paul Finnegan
Director
May 30, 2002
/s/
JEFFREY S. GILBERT
Jeffrey S. Gilbert
Director
May 30, 2002
/s/
JOHN HUNT
John Hunt
Director
May 30, 2002
/s/
ANN K. NEWHALL
Ann K. Newhall
Director
May 30, 2002
/s/
MARVIN C. NICOLAI
Marvin C. Nicolai
Director
May 30, 2002
/s/
GEORGE M. REVERING
George M. Revering
Director
May 30, 2002
/s/
DON SWENSON
Don Swenson
Director
May 30, 2002
/s/
GEORGE WIKSTROM JR.
George Wikstrom Jr.
Director
May 30, 2002
4
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
Page
No.
5
Opinion of Counsel
23.1
Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5)
23.2
Consent of Independent Public Accountants
24
Powers of Attorney from Messrs. Ekstrand, Schultz, Del Zoppo, Finnegan, Gilbert, Hunt, Nicolai, Revering, Swenson, Wikstrom and Ms. Newhall (included on signature page)
5
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EXHIBIT INDEX