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.

Boerner Named New GM

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association (WCCTA) Board of Directors proudly announces the appointment of Marcie Boerner as its new CEO/General Manager, effective January 1, 2025.

Boerner, who has dedicated 28 years to WCCTA, will be the third General Manager in the cooperative’s 70-year history. Marcie has built her career with the cooperative, touching nearly every part of the business. As the cooperative has grown, she has grown with it: implementing change, displaying leadership, and driving innovation while keeping our customers, member-owners and staff at the heart of it all.

“I am deeply honored and excited to take on this new role,” Boerner said. “I am looking forward to enhancing education and training as our teams continue to grow, serving our expanding footprint, fostering community connections, and driving economic development.”

Over the years, WCCTA has forged strong partnerships with local schools and businesses, enhancing connectivity and supporting educational initiatives. Additionally, the cooperative has spearheaded community initiatives like the Revolving Loan Fund, significantly improving the quality of life for residents.

“Most importantly,” Boerner added, “I am excited for the collaboration between our members and our dedicated staff to plan for the future and continue enhancing the quality of life in the communities we serve.”

Alan Jacobson, President of WCCTA’s Board of Directors, expressed confidence in Boerner’s ability to lead the company into its next phase of development.

“Marcie’s leadership style, concern for community and strategic vision are in perfect alignment with WCCTA’s future goals,” said Jacobson. “We are confident she is the right person to lead our cooperative and its members into this exciting new chapter.”

Boerner assumes her new role at a pivotal moment for WCCTA, as the cooperative continues to innovate and strengthen its position as the leading provider of communications solutions in north-central Iowa. To learn more about WCCTA, visit www.wccta.com.

About Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association (WCCTA) Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association (WCCTA) has been dedicated to serving rural communities in north-central Iowa since its incorporation in 1954. Initially established to provide essential telephone services to areas that other companies overlooked, WCCTA has grown to offer a full range of telecommunications services, including high-speed internet and digital television, to 21 communities and counting.

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

Carlson Announces Retirement

Celebrating 45 Years of Leadership: Daryl Carlson Announces Retirement

As we look back on decades of growth, innovation, and community impact, we are honored to celebrate the retirement of our General Manager, Daryl Carlson, who has dedicated 45 years to Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association. His remarkable leadership has left an indelible mark on our industry, our organization and the communities we proudly serve.

Throughout his career the cooperative transformed from a Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) provider to a state-of-the-art, 100% fiber-to-home internet service provider.

This early adoption of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) technology has not only enhanced the quality of life in our service areas but also positioned our cooperative as a leader in the industry. His vision has consistently driven us to embrace innovation and ensure that our members benefit from the best possible service.

Under his watch, our cooperative expanded into CLEC areas, further broadening our reach and impact. He spearheaded the construction of our new office building, providing the space needed to grow our innovative workforce and better serve our communities. Through strategic partnerships with other communications service providers throughout the region, he set us up for success, ensuring that the high-quality products and services we offer could be experienced by more people than ever before.

While it’s impossible to precisely quantify his impact on our organization, we know it is profound and far-reaching. As he prepares to step down at the end of the year, transitioning into an advisory role starting January 1, 2025, we take immense pride in the legacy he leaves behind. His contributions have not only secured the cooperative’s fiscal health but have also paved the way for the next generation of leadership to build upon his successes.

While we will miss his day-to-day presence, we are excited for him as he looks forward to a well-deserved retirement filled with hunting, fishing, and spending quality time with his grandchildren.

The impact Daryl has made on our cooperative, our team, and our communities is immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire us for years to come.

We wish him all the best in this next chapter of his life and thank him for his extraordinary service and dedication.

Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association is located at 1106 Beek Street in Gowrie, Iowa. It has a Gig certified Fiber to the Home network and provides landline telephone, internet, Wi-Fi, 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, Lake City and rural Fort Dodge.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter Linked in and our website at www.wccta.com.

Working Together with Others to Make a Better Experience

Marcie Boerner, COO, joined the Spin Markket team to talk about cooperatives, how they work, what makes them unique, and why fiber is the future.

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Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association is located at 1106 Beek Street in Gowrie, Iowa. It has a Gig certified Fiber to the Home network and provides landline telephone, internet, Wi-Fi, 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 us on Facebook, Twitter Linked in and our website at www.wccta.com.

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.

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.