Your Cooperative
What is a Cooperative?
As a cooperative, Webster-Calhoun is owned by its members and governed by a member-operated Board of Directors.
Each time you subscribe to one of WCCTA’s services, you are not just becoming a customer; you are actually making an investment in a company you and your neighbors own. Once the operating costs and reinvestment in your co-op have been met, the Board of Directors refunds the remaining money to the members in the form of Capital Credits. The amount refunded varies from year to year.
Who are Cooperative Members?
Members
Customers in Gowrie, Pilot Mound, Boxholm, Lanyon, Paton, Churdan, Knierim, Somers, Barnum, Farnhamville, Moorland, Vincent, Thor, Duncombe, Badger, and Clare are considered members of the cooperative.
Non-Members
In 2020, Webster-Calhoun invested in fiber-to-the-home in Lohrville, Manson, Rockwell City, and Lake City. These communities will not be considered members of the cooperative until a reasonable return on investment is gained. The Board of Directors will re-evaluate in the future.
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. Webster-Calhoun 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. Rural Fort Dodge is not considered a member of the cooperative.
Board of Directors
Communities are separated into 3 districts and members elect their representatives to serve on the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors oversee the local operation of the cooperative and protect your investment.
Allocation Notice
Each year anyone that did qualifying business with Webster-Calhoun receives an “Allocation Notice.” This notice shows the total amount of dollars allocated, or set aside, and will be returned to you at a later date. This includes the previous calendar year and totals from other years not yet retired.
Capital Credits
In order to operate the business, capital credits remain with the cooperative for a certain amount of time before they are returned to the members. Rural cooperatives, like any other business, must have some money on hand to provide current operating funds and to invest in facilities. When a retirement is declared, capital credit checks are issued to members.