WCCTA Awarded Grants for Rural Fort Dodge

Gowrie, IA –

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association has partnered with Central Cable Contractors of Waupun, WI and Vantage Point Solutions of Mitchell, SD to construct buried fiber cable to approximately 700 locations in the rural area around Fort Dodge. Construction began last fall and has recently resumed to complete the project.

“It is exciting that Webster County is so close to being 100% fiber throughout the county,” noted Marcie Boerner, WCCTA COO. “Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association has utilized a fiber network for many years and is now expanding into rural Fort Dodge.  Lehigh Valley Cooperative Telephone Association has expanded into the southern rural area of Fort Dodge and construction is also underway within the City of Fort Dodge with a municipal provider, Fort Dodge Fiber.”

Webster-Calhoun’s overall cost of the project is approximately $8 million dollars and will provide telephone, internet and tv services. The ability to expand further into rural Fort Dodge in part comes from two Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grants totaling over $3.9 million that targets specific census blocks or specific locations. Webster-Calhoun is also self-funding some locations that are not included in the grant areas. 

This geographical map shows approximately 700 locations that will be eligible to get fiber-driven services from Webster-Calhoun.

Webster County is rich in recreation with the beautiful landscape of the Des Moines River as well as vast gypsum quarries. It creates opportunities for scenic locations for housing; however, it also creates many expensive challenges when building out utilities in this terrain.

In September 2021 WCCTA was awarded $2,604,458.36 as part of NOFA # 006 which is 58.48% of the project cost for identified Census Blocks to fund approximately 260 locations.  In October 2023 WCCTA was awarded $1,329,294.09 which is 60% of the project cost for 98 locations identified as part of NOFA # 008.

“If you have an opportunity to receive a fiber drop you should do it.” adds Boerner.  “If you are not planning to use the service now or are planning to sell your home in the future you should still get the fiber connection to your home. It’s free during construction and a lot more cost effective for everyone.”

Webster-Calhoun currently provides 100% Fiber to the Home (FTTH) network to 20 communities including Moorland, Barnum, Clare, Badger, Vincent and Duncombe. The new construction will fill in the rural gap between Webster-Calhoun’s existing service area and the city limits of Fort Dodge.

There are several steps to constructing buried fiber and several locations are in different phases.  A majority of the area is finishing up testing and inspection.

This project was supported by federal funds made available through the American Rescue Plan Act and the State of Iowa, acting by and through the Department of Management (DOM).  Points of view expressed herein are those of the author or speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the United States Government or State of Iowa or endorsement of the project.

Webster-Calhoun

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association provides fiber-driven Internet, Wi-Fi, Telephone, and TV services to homes and businesses across 21 growing communities.

WCCTA is Gigabit Certified and designated a Smart Rural Community by NTCA: the Rural Broadband Association.

Rooted in Community. Ready for Tomorrow.

Webster-Calhoun Receives USDA Grant

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association has been awarded a $300,000 grant through the USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. As part of the application requirement Webster-Calhoun also committed an additional $30,000. This amount was also applied for and matched by Aureon’s Ripple Effect grant for $30,000.

“We are excited to receive this award and add to our existing revolving loan fund,” states Webster-Calhoun General Manager, Marcie Boerner. “This loan will go to the Southwest Webster Ambulance at zero percent interest over a ten year period. As the loan is paid back funds will be available to provide additional loans for local economic and community development projects.”

“This is a win-win as Webster-Calhoun will be able to reinvest these dollars into a revolving loan fund and help Southwest Webster Ambulance move forward with their building project.” adds Boerner. “Webster-Calhoun established a revolving loan fund in 2017. Growing this fund to a total of $720,000 directly impacts our local economy.”

Groundbreaking for the Southwest Webster Ambulance on March 17, 2025. Pictured from the left are Dan Hanson, Marcie Boerner, Jim (Archie) Peterson, Jessie Reed, Terry Towne, Melissa Joyce, Matt Nahnsen, Marsha Farnham, Adam Marquart and Robbin Dorman.
Groundbreaking for the Southwest Webster Ambulance on March 17, 2025. Pictured from the left are Dan Hanson, Marcie Boerner, Jim (Archie) Peterson, Jessie Reed, Terry Towne, Melissa Joyce, Matt Nahnsen, Marsha Farnham, Adam Marquart and Robbin Dorman.

Webster-Calhoun applied for the funds resulting in $360,000 specifically to assist the Southwest Webster Ambulance construct a new building to house two ambulance units, as well as classroom and office space. Ambulances have grown longer and wider making the existing building too small to upgrade to a new unit. Emergency calls for the service have nearly doubled with only three responding ambulance services in Webster County (population 36,626).

“The support of Webster-Calhoun and this funding has been the catalyst to making this vision a reality,” noted Terry Towne, SWWA, during the ground breaking event. “This project has been 15 years in the making.”

Constructions starts on the new ambulance building located between the current ambulance building and the fire department. When completed the Gowrie Police Department will move into the current ambulance building consolidating the location for emergency services in the Gowrie community.
Constructions starts on the new ambulance building located between the current ambulance building and the fire department. When completed the Gowrie Police Department will move into the current ambulance building consolidating the location for emergency services in the Gowrie community.

Webster-Calhoun established a Revolving Loan Fund in 2017 with funds from the USDA to help improve quality of life in rural areas.

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.

Iowans Meet with Congressional Representatives

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association CEO, Marcie Boerner, was one of several Iowa participants at the national NTCA 2025 Legislative and Policy Conference, April 27-29th. Nearly 500 broadband provider representatives from all over the country gathered in the nation’s capital for networking and educational briefings about emerging rules and regulations from other industry issues. They also took part in visits to policymakers on Capitol Hill and the FCC.

“Congress plays a critical role in crafting the policies and programs that make it possible for Webster-Calhoun to bring quality, reliable, high-speed broadband services to our local communities,” said Boerner. “We appreciated the opportunity to meet with policymakers to discuss our work and the importance of sustainable Universal Service.”

The idea that all Americans should have reliable access to communications services at a reasonable cost has been a national objective for over a century. Today the Universal Service Fund (USF), overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), enables providers to deliver voice and broadband services to rural users that are comparable in price and quality to those available in urban areas. Webster-Calhoun is a recipient of USF dollars and it is essential to maintain service for our rural customers.

Dave Duncan, CEO of the Iowa Communications Alliance (ICA), presents Congressman Zach Nunn with the NTCA Broadband Champion of the Year award in Washington, DC.
Dave Duncan, CEO of the Iowa Communications Alliance (ICA), presents Congressman Zach Nunn with the NTCA Broadband Champion of the Year award in Washington, DC.

Congressman Zach Nunn was recognized as NTCA’s Broadband Champion of the Year. His work promotes affordable and state-of-the-art broadband service, specifically by introducing the ReConnect Rural America Act, which codifies the ReConnect program and ensures community based providers can continue to connect rural Americans with the same services that are available to urban America. Congressman Nunn serves Greene County, including the WCCTA communities of Paton and Churdan.

ICA members on the steps of the US Capitol.
ICA members on the steps of the US Capitol.

It was a crowded and busy day of meetings on the Hill as they walked to offices throughout the Capitol Complex. They were fortunate to meet with staffers and legislators from the state of Iowa including Representative Ashley Hinson, Representative Marionette Miller-Meeks, Representative Randy Feenstra, Representative Zach Nunn, Senator Joni Ernst and Senator Chuck Grassley.

"In Congress, I've worked to secure 100 Mbps for both upload and download speeds for broadband service in our rural communities. This is the gold standard for broadband connections." Representative Randy Feenstra
“In Congress, I’ve worked to secure 100 Mbps for both upload and download speeds for broadband service in our rural communities. This is the gold standard for broadband connections.” Representative Randy Feenstra

Community-based broadband providers throughout the state of Iowa were represented in Washington, DC and included Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association, Western Iowa Networks, Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative, Sharon Telephone Company, MiFiber, Winnebago Cooperative Telephone Association, Western Iowa Telecom, USA Communications, Jefferson Telecom, Panora Telephone, Premier Communications, and MiBroadband.

Iowa’s federal legislators are leading the nation on several broadband fronts and we appreciate the time they took to hear from ICA and NTCA members while in Washington, DC.

Visitors expressed appreciation to Senator Joni Ernst for co-sponsoring and championing the ACCESS Rural America Act which seeks to reduce regulatory burdens on Iowa's community-based broadband providers.
Visitors expressed appreciation to Senator Joni Ernst for co-sponsoring and championing the ACCESS Rural America Act which seeks to reduce regulatory burdens on Iowa’s community-based broadband providers.

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, Lake City, and Rural Fort Dodge.

As a member-owned cooperative, WCCTA is committed to enhancing the quality of life and fostering economic development in the communities it serves. Every subscription to WCCTA’s services represents an investment in a locally-owned and operated, ensuring that the cooperative’s success directly benefits the local community. For more information, visit www.wcccta.com

WCCTA is Gigabit Certified and designated a Smart Rural Community by NTCA: the Rural Broadband Association.

SMCH Implements Telemedicine Technology

Lake City, Iowa – The hospital in Lake City is an important asset for healthcare within our region. While it can be challenging to provide healthcare in a rural area the leadership and staff are moving forward with their “putting people first” fundraising campaign and a $31 million dollar expansion and renovation project to enhance the overall patient experience, broaden available healthcare services, recruit and retain the best medical staff, and be a catalyst for economic development.

One such area of improvement is the new emergency room space. Thanks to Karl Jones and the Calhoun County Phoenix newspaper for permission to reprint this article about new technology in the emergency room. This particular technology is an example of how broadband is important in rural healthcare.

Doctors on ZOOM?

Stewart Memorial Community Hospital implements new Telemedicine Technology

By Karl Jones, Calhoun County Phoenix

With the opening of their new Emergency Room, Stewart Memorial Community Hospital (SMCH) is utilizing Avel eCare to provide Telemedicine services. This new technology helps the emergency room to keep patients longer while waiting for transport, or possibly get them taken care of in Lake City.

SMCH started using Avel eCare in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With patients coming in at a higher than normal rate, and staff being out due to catching the virus themselves, Avel eCare helped SMCH keep up with the high demand for medical services.

“We had an iPad that we would bring into the room,” ER Director/Trauma Coordinator Lara Cornelius said. “They could see us on the iPad and we would tell them what was on the vents and they would guide us. It wasn’t as advanced as what we currently have in the ER.”

In the new ER, the trauma bays are equipped with specialized telemedicine equipment which allows doctors at Avel to see the readings on the equipment directly. They also have access to cameras and can see pretty much everything the providers in the room can see.

The service has proven to be effective in the ER, as situations can arise where a patient is in need of a lot of hands-on care. With the telemedicine technology, staff at Avel can get in contact with ambulances or helicopters as well as other hospitals to arrange a transfer more quickly than the staff at SMCH would be able to in those situations.

“They have gotten Life Light in the air for us,” Cornelius said. “It just saves us so much time in here because we don’t have a lot of hands or an extra person that can go figure that stuff out all the time.”

In addition, the doctors at Avel are in their own hospitals. This gives them access to specialists with whom they can consult to provide better care for patients who have conditions that SMCH does not have to deal with as often. A doctor at Avel may even be more familiar with a situation than those at SMCH and be able to direct those in the room how to deal with them much more quickly than if someone had to look something up.

The Avel eCare is also useful to SMCH’s doctors when a second opinion is needed. Sometimes the lab results can portray multiple possibilities and getting a second opinion can help narrow down the problem.

Currently SMCH has the Emergency plan with Avel, which lets them utilize the service in the ER for emergency situations. The subscription-based service is a constant fee, so regardless of how many times SMCH has to call in they will always be able to.

In addition to the Emergency plan, Avel offers behavioral health, crisis care, emergency, EMS, hospitalist, ICU, pharmacy, school health, and senior care services. SMCH is considering expanding their useage of the Avel eCare program to the regular hospital floor.

While it is not through Avel currently, SMCH also has a behavioral health telemedicine program that they utilize.

“ITP Integrated Telehealth utilizes Skype, so it’s not as fancy as Avel’s service.” Cornelius said. “But it is another way we use telemedicine because we don’t have psychiatrists here. I would say the most growing population of patients is behavioral health patients by far.”

Telemedicine programs can be used to fill holes a hospital has in their capabilities. With the current state of the medical industry, it can be difficult to find people who want to stay as a part of your service. With a program like Avel eCare, smaller hospitals can get access to more specialized doctor’s opinions on a shorter notice.

When a hospital does not see a situation very often, it can be difficult to know how to deal with it at a short notice. In the past, SMCH would need to transfer out most of their ER patients as soon as they possibly could. Thanks to telemedicine they can now afford to wait a little longer for a transfer as they have quick access to the knowledge necessary to deal with most situations.

The telemedicine program is part of a much larger update that SMCH has been conducting over the past few years. With their renovation project nearing completion, the hospital’s facilities should be able to better service the community.

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association (WCCTA) provides Internet, landline telephone, Wifi, and television service to 20 rural communities in North Central, Iowa, including Lake City, Iowa. As a certified Gig Capable provider from NTCA, The Rural Broadband Association, WCCTA can provide up to Gigabit and symmetrical Internet speeds. www.wccta.net

Webster-Calhoun Celebrates with Friends of Community Memorial Building on FRS Grant Award

Lake City, Iowa, January 2023 – The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of NTCA –The Rural Broadband Association, announced the recipients of 31 grants totaling over $142,000 to support projects in communities served by NTCA members across the country. Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association is pleased to announce Friends of Community Memorial Building in Lake City, Iowa, as one of these grant recipients.

Friends of Community Memorial Building Foundation received $5,000 to be used for a digital display honoring local veterans as part of the veteran’s museum to be located on the second floor of the community building.

Tami Green, Treasurer of the Friends of Community Memorial Building Foundation partnered with Webster-Calhoun in pursuing this national grant. “This project will educate the public by creating a space for a veteran’s museum that will display war memorabilia, a dual historical timeline of the history of wars in our country’s past along with Lake City’s history. It will also honor the many veterans from our community – not just with a small plaque on a wall but with a digital archive showing a written narrative of the veteran’s service area and history of their life after service.”

For a complete list of grant awardees from the Foundation for Rural Service, click here.

The large walled area to the left is the old projection room to be converted to the building history room. Mounted to the outside wall will be the veteran’s digital archive.

In 1920 a group of ladies from the Lake City Improvement Society were determined to erect this building as a memorial to the many service members who had perished in the wars up to that time. We also wanted to honor the living veterans to have a special place of gathering. This building, located on the City square surrounded by local businesses, has stood the test of time for over 100 years. Renovation over the past two years has brought the building back to life and the ballroom has already hosted several events.

“The community grant program is particularly exciting because FRS multiplies the support NTCA members are already providing in their communities resulting in a larger impact for local schools and nonprofit organizations,” said Pam Becker, Executive Director of FRS. She continued, “In addition to contributions from this year’s 24 partnering NTCA companies, we are also grateful for extra support from Farm Credit East, CoBank and its funding of the Virtual Living Room program, Womble Bond Dickinson, and the Carri Bennet Rural Economic Development Grant Fund.”

Newly renovated and decorated ballroom at the Community Memorial Building in Lake City, Iowa.

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association (WCCTA) provides Internet, landline telephone, WIFI, and television service to 20 rural communities in North Central, Iowa, including Lake City. As a certified Gig Capable provider from NTCA, The Rural Broadband Association, WCCTA can provide up to Gigabit and symmetrical Internet speeds. www.wccta.net

The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and its members, seeks to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America by advancing an understanding of rural issues. Through scholarships, grants, and a variety of educational programs, FRS focuses on educating rural youth, encouraging community development and introducing policymakers to challenges unique to rural communities. Visit us at www.frs.org.

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. In an era of transformative technological advancements, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are leading the technological evolution for rural consumers, delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development, e-commerce, health care, agriculture and education, and it contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit us at www.ntca.org.

Webster-Calhoun Supports Stewart Memorial Community Hospital Renovations

Lake City, Iowa – On Wednesday, November 9, 2022, Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association (WCCTA) awarded grant funds to Stewart Memorial Community Hospital (SMCH) in support of their Putting People First campaign. A $31 million expansion and renovation project, Putting People First, aims to enhance the overall patient experience, broaden available healthcare services, recruit and retain the best medical staff, and be a catalyst for economic development. WCCTA’s contribution of $5,000 was matched through Aureon’s Ripple Effect grant program for a total gift of $10,000. These funds will be used to cover engineering costs associated with the expansion.

Stewart Memorial Community Hospital has been serving the community since it opened its doors in 1962. The last significant construction project for the facility was 30 years ago. The board of trustees and the administration identified three areas of concern: safety, efficiency, and privacy/confidentiality. The Putting People First campaign was developed to address these issues by expanding the Emergency and Physical Therapy departments, and therefore the hospital’s capacity to serve the community. Once the project is completed, the ER and rehab services department will be three times larger than the previous space, and each will have private rooms or treatment rooms. The new ER location will be closer to the patient wing, increasing availability and efficiency for nursing staff. There will also be a new main entrance, a new emergency entrance and a dedicated helipad to increase the efficiency of emergency traffic flow.

Much of the construction for the remodel is underway, and the hospital has made significant strides towards completing the project. With plans to have construction completed in late 2023, SMCH has raised over $2,000,000 in local funds. However, there is room for additional support. If you are interested in knowing more about this project, please contact, Jesse Underwood at junderwood@stewartmemorial.org.

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association (WCCTA) provides Internet, landline telephone, Wifi, and television service to 20 rural communities in North Central, Iowa, including Lake City. As a certified Gig Capable provider from NTCA, The Rural Broadband Association, WCCTA can provide up to Gigabit and symmetrical Internet speeds. www.wccta.net

Aureon is a premier business solutions provider, with expertise in IT services, consulting, and customer care. For details, please call 888-387-5670.

Developed through a partnership alliance between Aureon and Iowa Area Development Group (IADG), the Ripple Effect program helps Independent Telecommunication Companies, and the communities they serve, become catalysts for advancing the economic health and vitality of rural Iowa.

Vosberg Enterprises Welcomes New Owners

On Friday, September 2, 2022, Vosberg Enterprises Inc. was purchased by Trevor and Brett Larson. The brothers have been with Vosberg Enterprises for several years where they have learned the ins and outs of both the farm drainage and machining sides of the company from the previous owners, and brothers, Jeff and Gary Vosberg. Jeff and Gary will continue working with the company to help transition the leadership roles smoothly.

“It’s important to us to express that, as a company, we are and will continue to operate the same as we have in years past. We have always thought Vosberg Enterprises has delivered quality service in the surrounding areas and we will do our best to live up to the high reputation the Vosberg family has built over the past 70 years.” explains Trevor Larson.

The Larsons and the Vosbergs gave credit to several entities that helped in this transition including their customers, the Small Business Development Center, and Brian Lane of Security Savings Bank. They also noted Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association, Calhoun County Electric Cooperative Association, and Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation as they were able to collaborate with local lenders by utilizing Revolving Loan Funds.

WCCTA established a Revolving Loan Fund in 2017 with funds from the USDA to help improve quality of life in rural areas by contributing to the long-term improvement of the economy including job creation and retention.

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association provides Landline Telephone, Digital TV, Internet and Wifi service to 20 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.

Iowa Communications Alliance Congratulates 2021-2022 Leadership Academy Graduates

During its Annual Meeting & Expo held in Des Moines on March 28-30, 2022, the Iowa Communications Alliance (ICA) recognized 12 members for successfully completing the ICA Leadership Academy.

During its Annual Meeting & Expo held in Des Moines on March 28-30, 2022, the Iowa Communications Alliance (ICA) recognized 12 members for successfully completing the ICA Leadership Academy. The 2021-2022 Leadership Academy graduates include:

These individuals were selected through a competitive application process to participate in the ICA Leadership Academy. The program is designed for those who desire to further their personal leadership skills and prepare themselves to take the next step into a leadership role with their company or the Iowa Communications Alliance. Through the Leadership Academy, participants meet several times between October and March and participate in workshops, networking events, and service opportunities. Topics covered through the Leadership Academy include personality traits and profiles, human resources basics, building successful teams, public speaking, strategic thinking, and time management. Participants are also introduced to leadership opportunities within the ICA by sitting in on committee meetings and board meetings.

The Iowa Communications Alliance congratulates each of these individuals for their commitment to professional and personal leadership development.

To learn more about the ICA Leadership Academy visit http://www.IaCommunicationsAll.org

The Iowa Communications Alliance is the nation’s largest state-based association of community-based broadband providers. Its 250+ members provide and enable high-quality, state-of-the-art communications services to Iowans, leading the state to be among the nation’s leaders in fiber-optic deployment.

ICA firmly believes that broadband communications is the tool and industry capable of growing and transforming Iowa and our association is the advocate, catalyst, educator, and resource for Iowa’s community-based communications providers. We empower education, agriculture, healthcare, and other industries to thrive and succeed.

Marcie Boerner Elected President of Iowa Communication Alliance

Marcie Boerner, COO of Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association, has been elected to serve as Board President of the Iowa Communications Alliance (ICA).

GOWRIE, IA (PRWEB) APRIL 24, 2022

Boerner was announced as the new ICA Board President during the ICA Annual Meeting and Expo held in Des Moines on March 28-30 with more than 900 in attendance. ICA celebrated Boerner’s milestone of being the first female Board President in ICA’s short history. ICA was formed in 2013 as a result of the unification of two entities known as ITA and RIITA, and during her speech to Annual Meeting attendees, Boerner gave accolades to the female Board Presidents of ITA and RIITA. Boerner looks forward to forging her path and vision to expand ICA’s influence in the coming board year.

“I look forward to continuing the ICA vision to advocate for and be a champion for Iowa’s community-based broadband providers,” stated Marcie Boerner, 2022 ICA Board President, and COO Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association.

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association’s headquarters is located in Gowrie, Iowa. They provide telephone, Internet, and digital TV to 20 communities in north-central Iowa on a Fiber to the premise (FTTP), gigabit certified Fiber network.

Dave Duncan, ICA’s CEO, welcomed Boerner to her new role, saying, “Since I met Marcie I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact and influence she exhibits across the state through her outstanding character, integrity, and leadership capabilities. Marcie has distinguished herself in countless leadership roles and accomplishments on ICA committees and on the Board, and I look forward to helping implement her vision for the year.”

Joining Boerner on the executive board are Tim Fencl from Danville Telephone as First Vice President, Jamie Daubendiek of Jefferson Telecom as Second Vice President, and Jeff Roiland of Western Iowa Networks as Immediate Past Board President.

The Iowa Communications Alliance is the nation’s largest state-based association of community-based broadband providers. Its 250+ members provide and enable high-quality, state-of-the-art communications services to Iowans, leading the state to be among the nation’s leaders in fiber-optic deployment.

ICA firmly believes that broadband communications is the tool and industry capable of growing and transforming Iowa and our association is the advocate, catalyst, educator, and resource for Iowa’s community-based communications providers. We empower education, agriculture, healthcare, and other industries to thrive and succeed.

REPRINTED FROM PRWEB PRESS RELEASE

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association Receives Ripple Effect Grant

Independent Telecom to help Manson Hometown Grocery

WEST DES MOINES, IA (December 15, 2021)— Aureon has announced Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association (WCCTA) as the recipient of a $5,000 Ripple Effect grant to assist with the rural grocery store in Manson, Iowa.

Manson, a community of 1,867 in Calhoun County, rallied together to save their local grocery store after the former owner closed its doors. The vision for the community to create a non-profit grocery store for the community has become a reality and almost a year after it closed the new Manson Hometown Grocery opened in November of 2020.

The Ripple Effect grant application was made to Aureon on behalf of Manson Hometown Grocery by Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association, a new provider of internet, cable, and phone services in Manson. In addition to the $5,000 Ripple Effect grant from the Iowa Area Development Group and Aureon, WCCTA will provide a matching grant of $5,000 for a total of $10,000 in grant funding. Plans are to make changes to the air handling system to more efficiently heat the store.

“The ability to keep a grocery store in the community is vital as it serves as a cornerstone to the downtown and attracts people from surrounding rural communities,” says Marcie Boerner, COO of Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association. “It’s a great thing when a community comes together around a project – and that’s just what happened in Manson. WCCTA is honored to give this Ripple Effect grant award to a project that will have a positive effect on the residents, businesses, and surrounding rural communities for years to come.”

About Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association is the leading provider of voice, video, and data services in North Central Iowa. With headquarters in Gowrie, IA, WCCTA provides 20 communities with local and long-distance voice services, high-speed Internet, and cable television programming. As a certified Gig Capable provider from the NTCA, The Rural Broadband Association, WCCTA provides up to Gigabit and symmetrical Internet speeds. WCCTA is increasing broadband in rural Iowa and is staying in touch with the needs of the residents and businesses providing Landline Telephone, Internet and digital television service to the Iowa communities of Gowrie, Pilot Mound, Vincent, Thor, Churdan, Knierim, Somers, Barnum, Duncombe, Farnhamville, Badger, Clare, Moorland, Boxholm, Lanyon, Paton, Lohrville, Manson, Rockwell City, and Lake City. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and their website at wccta.com

For more information visit www.wccta.com

About Aureon

Aureon is a business solutions provider who connects possibilities to productivity by providing unique and scalable business support services for organizations – small and large. Headquartered in the heart of the Midwest, and serving clients nationally with a presence in 48 states, Aureon offers a comprehensive suite of support solutions, with a focus on Technology, HR and Contact Center services. Aureon’s unique combination of talent, technology and tools enable clients to focus on their core business.

For more information visit www.Aureon.com

About Ripple Effect

The Ripple Effect program, a partnership alliance between Aureon and Iowa Area Development Group (IADG), is designed to advance the business and community development vitality of rural Iowa by joining local Independent Telecommunications Companies and partnering municipalities in their economic development initiatives. The program provides financial and technical assistance to businesses and industries and communities, through local telecommunication providers, to stimulate growth and development in rural Iowa. The program makes available low-interest loans to business applicants and planning grants to communities and their economic development partners for various types of community development projects. At a minimum, the Independent Telecommunications Companies are required to match the local financial assistance provided by Ripple Effect.

Other Ripple Effect services include financial packaging for development projects; research and education; awareness and training; business marketing and outreach; and development project facilitation including direct financial assistance through loans and grants from Aureon. For decades Aureon, through Iowa’s Independent Telecommunications Companies and IADG, on behalf of the Rural Electric Cooperatives, has provided leadership, vision and commitment to rural communities. For more information about this grant or the Ripple Effect program, contact IADG; www.rippleeffectworks.org and on Twitter @RippleEffectIA; 515-777-7308.