In the heart of rural Maury County in Middle Tennessee, Sandra Kerrigan was trying to do what so many of us take for granted: log in on her laptop to work remotely. But living in Culleoka—a small, unincorporated agricultural community 20 miles south of Columbia—made that simple task nearly impossible.
Sandra, a project manager for a Charleston-based environmental company, had worked remotely for most of her career. “When we moved out here, I just assumed internet would be available,” she explained. “But you know what they say about assuming.”
The Reality of Life Without the Internet
Sandra and her family moved to Culleoka after their youngest graduated from high school, trading suburban life in White House, TN, for the peace and quiet of the country. But the move came with an unforeseen catch.
“There was just…nothing. We tried everything—satellite internet, cell boosters, even spent thousands upon thousands on satellite internet trying to figure out something that would work,” she recalls. “I ended up having to rent space out of my own pocket in Columbia to get internet service because my job is remote.”
In the meantime, Sandra’s community was struggling too. Her youngest son had to drop out of a pilot program in Murfreesboro when COVID hit because there was no reliable way for him to attend classes online. “He could be a professional pilot today, but he took a different path that was more fitting for that time and our lack of robust internet.”
Taking Matters Into Her Own Hands
Frustrated but determined, Sandra didn’t just wait around for broadband to show up—she spearheaded a grassroots effort to bring it to Culleoka herself.
“I kind of fell into it,” she says. “I started researching federal broadband grants, joined conversations with local officials, and eventually connected with the Chief Operating Officer at United Communications, Josh Lynch.”
That connection turned into a coalition. Sandra started a Facebook group for her community, helped organize meetings with the Mayor of Columbia and other key decision-makers, and served as a persistent advocate for broadband access in her area.
“It was a two-and-a-half-year effort, and United was fantastic,” she says. “They listened, they showed up, and they worked hard to get things moving. And finally, we got fiber installed just a few weeks ago.”
A New Era in Culleoka
The change has been immediate and personal.
“I travel a lot, so I’m used to having robust internet. But out here, before United, I just wasn’t happy to be home. I didn’t feel connected. It was stressful,” Sandra says. “Now, I love being here. It’s made a huge difference in quality of life—not just for me, but for my neighbors too.”
Families with school-aged kids can now fully participate in online education. Seniors can use telehealth services. Small farms and businesses can compete in a digital economy. And families can sit together to stream their favorite movies on the weekends.
“There was a moment when we all got our install notices, and the Facebook group just lit up with celebration,” she laughs. “We were all like, ‘It’s happening! It’s finally happening!’”
Want to hear the joy in her own words? CLICK HERE to watch Sandra share the moment fiber installations became available herself!
Rural Access is a Right, Not a Luxury
Sandra’s experience highlights the broader issue of broadband accessibility in rural America. “Big providers don’t see a return on investment in places like Culleoka,” she says. “They’re not interested in laying cable for a handful of houses. It’s cost-prohibitive unless there’s public support.”
That’s where companies like United Communications come in to work with local governments, navigate the grant process, and stay committed to connecting communities that have been left behind.
“Everyone needs internet now. This isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential,” Sandra says. “United understood that. They got it.”
United is grateful for Sandra’s leadership and tireless efforts to help bring broadband to her corner of rural Maury County. To learn more about United’s efforts to make high-speed internet available to everyone in Middle Tennessee, visit https://united.net/project-unite.
Want to be part of the next success story? Join the thousands of Middle Tennesseans now enjoying fast, reliable fiber internet from United. Check availability in your area and become a United customer today.