The Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association disbursed more than 8,000 dividend checks totaling just over $500,000 on June 14.

The checks represent payment of 6 percent of deferred dividends for members who had service with WCTA from 1997 to 2000.

“WCTA members can be proud of their cooperative’s operations and focus on the future,” General Manager Mark Thoma said. “WCTA continues to provide low cost services to its members.”

The WCTA Board of Directors voted earlier this year to approve the pay out payment.

Board members include Mark R. Johnson, Larry Foley, Stephen Thorland, Jerry Ouverson, Mike Stensrud, Curt Helland and Dale Meinders.

According to a press release, Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association is a member-owned cooperative providing a full range of quality, reliable telecommunication services and products for communities in north central Iowa and south central Minnesota.