Platinum Connect Receives Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant

Broadband grant will be used to bring new fiber optic infrastructure to the rural area of Webster City

Webster City, IA. – April 5, 2022– Platinum Connect, a new communications company formed by a partnership between Premier Communications and Webster-Calhoun Cooperative, was awarded a grant through the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program. On January 4, 2022, the Office of the Chief Information Officer of the State of Iowa, with authority given by Governor Kim Reynolds, awarded $4,103,670.⁰⁰ to Platinum Connect through Iowa’s Broadband Grants Program – Empower Rural Iowa. The funding was made available to communications service providers in order to improve broadband access for Iowans in underserved service areas across the state.

Platinum Connect applied for the federal funding and was awarded $4,103,670.⁰⁰ to bring fiber optics to approximately 110 sq. miles of rural area surrounding Webster City, IA. The total cost of the project is projected to be $8.5 million. This grant will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premise network in the rural Webster City area with the capability of broadband speeds in excess of 1 Gbps.

“Being awarded this grant is an incredible honor,” comments Ryan Boone, CEO of Premier Communications. “We know how important it is for underserved rural Iowans to have access to robust broadband services and we look forward to providing the surrounding rural area of Webster City with the same great service and reliability as Platinum Connect’s customers in town.” “We are committed to serving our customers with the best technology possible no matter where they live,” adds Daryl Carlson, EVP/General Manager of Webster-Calhoun Cooperative. “Governor Reynolds understands the needs of rural Iowans and the increased necessity of broadband. She has been a fantastic advocate for rural broadband expansion.”

Platinum Connect looks forward to using these funds to build fiber optic infrastructure in rural Webster City starting in the spring of 2023 and completing the project in 2024.

* This project was supported by the federal funds made available through the American Rescue Plan Act and the State of Iowa, acting by and through the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).  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.