METC, Walnut Communications set to join forces

    REGIONAL -- Marne and Elk Horn Telephone Company (METC) and Walnut Communications, longtime partners during their 100 years in business, today extended that partnership further when they announced they would merge later this year.
    The merger was recommended for approval by the Board of Directors of each company, and officially approved by the shareholders of both companies earlier this month.
    The Iowa Utilities Board and the Federal Communications Commission still need to approve the merger before it is final, according to company staff.