WIPCO office in Onawa will no longer allow public access

ONAWA, Iowa (KTIV) - The Western Iowa Power Cooperative’s Board of Directors have decided to change the Onawa, Iowa, location into an ‘operational outpost’ starting Sept. 1.

The Onawa WIPCO location will be restructured for crew needs, and it will no longer have a staffed front desk or a drop box to pay electric bills.

The board says the decision was made because the building needs major repairs to the roof and brickwork, and walk-in traffic has steadily declined due to more customers paying online or by phone.

Leana Shull, a longtime WIPCO customer, said she is against the change because it would hurt customer service.

She says the Board shouldn’t have decided on the change before hearing the concerns of its customers.

“They’ve done a very poor job,” said Shull. “When they’re going to make a major decision like this, they should canvas the customers and find out what they want instead of just making this decision without asking us.”

WIPCO says members will be able to pay their bill, in person, at the United Bank of Iowa in Onawa.

Customers who need walk-in service can go to the headquarters in Denison during regular business hours.

Shull says she plans to start a petition to take to the district meeting on Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. at the Onawa Community Center.

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