Iowa

5 Dec 2013

The #1 Solar Utility is in…Iowa? – Episode 12 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

by John Farrell | Date: 5 Dec 2013 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Podcast | 0

It may be one of the oldest cooperative utilities in the country, but in the next six months, Farmers Electric Cooperative (FEC) of southeastern Iowa will be leading the nation in this 21st century energy source. Upon completion of a new solar array, the 640-member cooperative will have over 1,500 Watts of solar per customer on their system, nearly double the #2 utility. It’s also the most reliable utility in Iowa. How can this small, member-owned utility in Kalona be “America’s Most Progressive Utility”?… Read More

3 Dec 2013

Cedar Falls Shows Long Term Muni Network Success: Community Broadband Bits Episode #75

by Christopher Mitchell | Date: 3 Dec 2013 | posted in: MuniNetworks, Podcast | 0

Cedar Falls Utilities operates one of the oldest community owned networks in the nation. It started as a cable network in the 90’s, upgraded to FTTH recently, and this year began offering the first citywide gigabit service in Iowa. CFU … Read More

6 Nov 2013

Election Day 2013 Community Owned Network Referendum Roundup

by Christopher Mitchell | Date: 6 Nov 2013 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0

Starting with the good news, voters in Colorado overwhelmingly supported municipal network intiatives. Longmont voted 2:1 in favor of bonding to fast track network expansion. We have covered this issue in great depth recently. Read all of our coverage of … Read More

4 Nov 2013

As Emmetsburg Plans to Vote on Muni Network, Mediacom Misinforms

by Lisa Gonzalez | Date: 4 Nov 2013 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0

The Iowa community of 4,000 will take up Public Measure D on November 5th. Voters will decided whether to approve a $3.5 million bond issue to cover approximately half the cost to build a FTTH system. Incumbent Mediacom is distributing … Read More

26 Sep 2013

Indianola’s Community Network Spurs Entrepreneurship

by ILSR | Date: 26 Sep 2013 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0

When Indianola decided to invest in a municipal fiber network, the decision was part of a larger economic development plan that included a startup incubator in partnership with Simpson College – which we wrote about earlier this year. Located near Des … Read More

23 Sep 2013

Iowa Municipal Utilities on Gigabit Nation

by Christopher Mitchell | Date: 23 Sep 2013 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0

We were glad to hear our friend, Curtis Dean of the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities join Craig Settles on his Gigabit Nation Internet Radio show. Listen below to learn more about what local utilities are doing to help their … Read More

12 Aug 2013

Mudd Advertising and Cedar Falls Utility Talk Gigabit Broadband

by ILSR | Date: 12 Aug 2013 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0

As we reported back in May, Cedar Falls Utilities (CFU) now offers citywide gigabit broadband. Mudd Advertising is one local company poised to take full advantage of the new blazing speeds. Mudd invited officials from CFU into its studio for … Read More

8 Jul 2013

Small Iowa Town’s Telecom Utility Long Time Coming: Broadband Bits #53

by Lisa Gonzalez | Date: 8 Jul 2013 | posted in: information, MuniNetworks | 0

Waverly, a town of 10,000 in Iowa, decided to create a city owned telecommunications utility with a successful referendum vote in 2000 but has only recently decided to move forward with a major investment to offer services. Mike Litterer, Interim … Read More

2 Jul 2013

Waverly Waits 13 Years to Build Fiber Network – Community Broadband Bits Episode #53

by Christopher Mitchell | Date: 2 Jul 2013 | posted in: MuniNetworks, Podcast | 0