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.

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.

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.