United Communications President and CEO William Bradford (standing) reviews the company’s $12 million fiber broadband expansion plan at yesterday’s monthly meeting of the Marshall County Joint Economic and Community Development Board. (Photo Credit: United Communications)
LEWISBURG, Tenn. (March 12, 2025) — United Communications, Middle Tennessee’s local fiber internet leader, met on Tuesday morning with members of the Marshall County Joint Economic and Community Development Board to discuss the benefits of a $12 million fiber broadband investment targeting 1,000 homes and businesses in the central part of the county.
“Having fast, reliable internet service is critical to sustaining steady economic growth for any community,” said William Bradford, President and CEO of United Communications. “From classroom to career, Marshall County residents deserve every opportunity that high-speed internet access provides in terms of education, professional development, and job placement.”
The $12 million investment was secured through Project UNITE, a partnership between Duck River Electric and United Communications that began in 2021 to deliver high-speed, reliable internet service to residents by working with local communities to secure competitive state and federal infrastructure grants.
United’s Project UNITE initiative has already brought service to over 6,000 unserved homes and businesses in Marshall County. This latest announcement will bring service to the remaining county residents who still lack access to broadband.
As part of United’s commitment to its local communities, United has already brought multi-gig fiber services to the Marshall County government, Henry Horton State Park, and several volunteer fire departments in the area.
“Internet service is like electricity was to our grandparents and great-grandparents—you’ve just got to have it,” said Marshall County Mayor Mike Keny. “This is a big deal for our county, and I want to thank United for the work they’ve done and the investment they’ve helped us make in Marshall County.”
A 2024 study sponsored by NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association showed that rural counties with high broadband usage experienced over 200% higher business growth, 44% higher gross domestic product growth, and 18% higher per capita income growth than their peer counties with lower broadband use. This per capita income growth advantage represented nearly $500 per person each year for county residents.
To ensure priority installation at their homes and businesses, Marshall County residents are encouraged to visit United’s website and complete a brief online registration to be notified as soon as United’s fiber internet becomes available in their area.
Originally founded in 1947 as United Telephone Company, United Communications has operated in Marshall County for 77 years and remains committed to providing its neighbors with cutting-edge broadband connections backed by industry-leading customer service.
Only United Communications offers Middle Tennessee’s fastest residential fiber internet service with download and upload speeds of up to 8 Gbps, all with no contracts, data caps, or hidden fees. Learn how you can sign up to become a United Communications customer today at united.net.
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About United Communications
United Communications is a leading provider of internet and phone services to enterprise-class businesses and residential customers in Middle Tennessee. United has been nationally and regionally recognized, receiving a 2024 Gold Stevie® Award from The 22nd American Business Awards®, one of the 2024 and 2023 Best Places To Work from the Nashville Business Journal, a 2023 Top 100 Fiber-To-The-Home Leader, a 2023 Torch Award from the BBB, and a Smart Rural Community Provider℠ award.
United operates more than 3,800 route miles of fiber covering portions of Bedford, Davidson, Franklin, Giles, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Rutherford, Williamson, and Wilson counties. United Communications is a service of Middle Tennessee Electric. To learn more, please visit united.net.
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