Month: November 2023

WCCTA Awards Ripple Effect Grant Funding to The Kid’s Spot

Lake City, Iowa – On Wednesday, November 15th, Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association (WCCTA) awarded grant funding to the Kid’s Spot childcare center. $5,000 dollars was donated from WCCTA, matched by an additional $5,000 from WCCTA’s technology partner Aureon through the Ripple Effect economic development match-funding program.

The Kid’s Spot has been providing a key service as a licensed childcare provider in Lake City since 1992. With many employers within Calhoun, Sac, and Greene counties, local childcare needs have become essential to the local workforce. Still in its original location, the Kid’s Spot has been unable to meet the growing childcare demands of the community due to lack of facility space and other necessary amenities. The Kid’s Spot received a Future Ready Iowa Child Care grant and embarked on a $700,000 expansion and remodel project to help address this need for additional space. 30 childcare spaces have been added, along with 6 more full-time employees. The expansion consists of a 2-room addition, restrooms, washing stations, outdoor space, new playground equipment, and safety updates such as security enhancements, fire systems and safe exits.

Although the Future Ready grant was essential to moving the expansion project forward, there was still a sizable fundraising gap secured through other local contributions and partners such as WCCTA. Funding from the Ripple Effect grant will be allocated towards reimbursing pre-construction costs needed for the facility remodel and expansion.

“It is evident that parents and employers both rely on quality childcare based on the demand for full-time and after school care. The Kid’s Spot is such an important asset to the community of Lake City. I’m so happy we could contribute a few more dollars to get them closer to their ultimate goal.” states Marcie Boerner, WCCTA COO.

The Kid’s Spot currently serves 69 children (full-time and part-time), employs 9 full-time employees and is a designated bus stop for the local school district.

Nicole Bixenstine, Board President, talks about the status of the fundraising campaign. “The Kids Spot’s expansion and updates may be complete, but there was a large gap in funding vs construction expenses. The Kid’s Spot is very thankful to receive this local grant. A construction grant was received to aid in our expansion process but did not cover numerous construction costs including safety and security updates that were needed. This left the center with a large remaining balance. To cover the remaining cost of the construction and safety updates the center will rely on fundraising and grants.”

Bixenstine adds, “The remaining fundraising goal is $91,575. Grants like this are crucial in keeping the childcare costs down for families. We will continue to search for grants that fit our mission and we also thank the members of the community that have made donations. We hope to reach more people to make them aware of our efforts and needs. Thank you for your support. It makes an impact!”

If you are interested in supporting this non-profit organization and their mission to increase the availability of childcare for working families, please contact Nicole Bixenstine at lakecityks@gmail.com.

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association (WCCTA) provides Broadband Internet, Landline Telephone, and Television service in North Central, IA. As a cooperative, it is locally based, owned by all its members, and at a reasonable cost provides the best possible service to all of its subscribers. WCCTA is committed to serving the communities of Gowrie, Farnhamville, Churdan, Paton, Lanyon, Boxholm, Pilot Mound, Somers, Knierim, Moorland, Barnum, Clare, Thor, Badger, Vincent, Duncombe, Lohrville, Manson, Rockwell City and Lake City.

Aureon is a premier business solutions provider with expertise in IT services, consulting, and

customer care. For details, please call 800-469-4000 or visit www.Aureon.com for more information. Developed through a partnership alliance between Aureon and Iowa Area Development Group (IADG), the Ripple Effect program helps Independent telecommunication Companies and communities become catalysts for advancing the economic health and vitality of rural Iowa. Visit www.RippleEffectIowa.com for details.

Somers Public Library Recipient of Aureon Charity Grant

The Somers Public Library received $500 from the Aureon Charity Grant Program to help purchase a new printer. Marcie Boerner, Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association, is pictured presenting the check to Kim Kopecky, Library Director along with JD Siebert, Aureon.

“The function of a library continues to change and evolve especially in our really small communities. We appreciate the continued community-minded efforts of the Somers Library.” Marcie Boerner, WCCTA COO.

The Aureon Charity Grant Program was established to increase service and support to rural independent telephone companies and the communities they serve. Applications are considered on a quarterly basis and available to organizations within the WCCTA service area.

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association provides Landline Telephone, Digital TV and Internet service to 16 rural communities on a Fiber driven network just outside the Fort Dodge, Iowa area: Pilot Mound, Boxholm, Lanyon, Paton, Churdan, Farnhamville, Gowrie, Somers, Moorland, Knierim, Barnum, Clare, Thor, Badger, Vincent, Duncombe and in the towns of Lohrville, Manson, Rockwell City and Lake City. www.wccta.net WCCTA is Gigabit Certified and designated a Smart Rural Community by NTCA: the Rural Broadband Association.