United grant connects county

by Scott Pearson, Asst. Editor
Posted 9/3/20

Large parts of Marshall County are about to get better connected. Business leaders, politicians, and county residents turned out to the Lewisburg Rec Center on Friday to celebrate the announcement of a multi-million dollar grant for United Communications to expand fiber broadband access in rural areas...

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United grant connects county

Posted

Large parts of Marshall County are about to get better connected.

Business leaders, politicians, and county residents turned out to the Lewisburg Rec Center on Friday to celebrate the announcement of a multi-million dollar grant for United Communications to expand fiber broadband access in rural areas.

The Tennessee Economic and Community Development Department awarded the Marshall County company $5.2 million in grant funds from the Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund, part of the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Marshall County will see $2.1 million of those funds, expanding fiber broadband to an additional 710 homes in the county.

“We have to remain connected if we want to stay in the game,” said Marshall County Mayor Mike Keny.

The expansion of broadband internet services into rural and underserved areas has been identified as a need during the last few years, compared by some to the introduction of electricity into rural area by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the 1930s.

That idea has only been emphasized this year as remote work, telemedicine, and online education have exploded during coronavirus pandemic closures.

“A global pandemic takes local solutions,” said United President and CEO William Bradford.

Several areas of the county will see the expanded service.

A large area between Powell Lane and Highway 99, roads along the Rutherford County border, two pockets in the northwest of the county, and an area around Talley Station will receive the new services.

Residents should check with United to confirm if their home is part of the expansion.

Despite the size of the project, completion of the project, as stated in the grant requirements, is scheduled to be completed by Dec. 15 of this year.

Tribune photo by Scott Pearson

President and CEO of United William Bradford, Marshall County Mayor Mike Keny, and 14th District State Sen. Shane Reeves celebrate the announcement of state grant funds, expanding high speed broadband to parts of the county.

Instead of cutting a ribbon, the trio spliced a fiber optic cable to mark the occasion, in keeping with the theme of better connecting Marshall County.