Marne Elk Horn Telephone Company Builds Connections for Rural Iowa Customers; Earns Iowa Farm Bureau's Entrepreneur of the Month Award

A rural Iowa telephone company, founded in 1903, has built connections for rural Iowans and helped usher in a new era of technology and mobile communications for the citizens of Elk Horn, Kimballton, Brayton, Marne and Exira. Marne Elk Horn Telephone Company, the Iowa Farm Bureau Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur of the Month award winner, provides its customers more than internet, phone, cable television and wireless services; the company provides a vital connection to the world.

“We believe that rural Iowa is important and our company knows people want to live here, so they need the services we provide,” says Janell Hansen of Marne Elk Horn Telephone Company.

Marne Elk Horn was nominated by Joe Hrdlicka of the Iowa Telecommunications Association, because of the investment the company has in rural Iowa. “I think the vision the company shows in investing in the community goes beyond what it provides for the community in quality telecommunications services. The company also supports the local hotel because it helps tourism and invests in housing; those are critical community needs to support growth in this area,” says Hrdlicka.

Audubon County Farm Bureau Vice President Joe Elmquist depends on mobile communications to keep his farm productive. “As a farmer, I use it every single day: checking weather, markets, and looking at other opportunities. It’s nice to have a company with great customer service provide that internet connection to the world every day.”

Renew Rural Iowa supports new and existing businesses in Iowa’s small towns through business education, mentoring and financial resources. In cooperation with the Chamber and Development Council for Crawford County, Renew Rural Iowa will offer a business success seminar on Jan. 27 at the Western Iowa Tech Community College in Denison. To register, go to www.renewruraliowa.com.

News Release