United Communications and Duck River Electric joined county leaders to celebrate the launch of a $10.5 million rural fiber internet expansion project at the Giles County Courthouse in historic downtown Pulaski on Monday, March 17.

United Communications, Middle Tennessee’s local fiber internet leader, and its partners from Duck River Electric joined the Giles County Commission and County Executive Graham Stowe during the commission’s monthly meeting to celebrate the official launch of a $10.5 million investment that will bring high-speed internet to nearly 1,900 additional homes and businesses in rural Giles County by the end of 2025.

The historic investment combines federal and state funding along with private contributions from United Communications through an initiative called Project UNITE. This effort expands high-speed internet access to rural areas by pursuing grant awards and leveraging partnerships with Middle Tennessee communities. Over 40,000 local, underserved homes and businesses have lightning-fast internet connections through this initiative.

United has invested more than $200 million to construct Middle Tennessee’s largest fiber broadband network, connecting 100,000 locations with residential broadband speeds of up to 8 Gbps and even faster multi-gig speeds for small business and enterprise customers.

“We’re grateful for the visionary leadership of County Executive Stowe and our partnership with the Giles County Commission for making this project possible,” said William Bradford, President and CEO of United Communications. “Their commitment to connectivity along with the support from Duck River Electric is helping us ensure that everyone in Giles County has the opportunity to learn, work, and thrive with light-speed internet.”

Standing, from left – William Bradford, President & CEO of United Communications, DREMC Board Member Will Wilson, who represents Marshall and Giles County, and DREMC President & CEO James Wright, announced the launch of a $10.5 million rural fiber internet expansion project in March. United’s latest expansion is another example of how Project UNITE supports rural communities in Middle Tennessee.

“We are proud to partner with United Communications and the Giles County Commission on this transformative project that will bring reliable internet to every Duck River Electric member in Giles County,” said James Wright, President and CEO of Duck River Electric. “This collaboration is a significant step toward bridging the digital divide in our rural communities. In today’s fast-paced world, having reliable, high-speed internet service has become just as vital as having electricity in the home or business.”

A map of Giles County displaying future coverage areas that will be connected to United Communications’ fiber broadband network.

The first areas of the Giles County expansion project will be completed as early as April 2025. Giles County residents are encouraged to secure priority access to United’s fiber internet by visiting United’s website to sign up now and guarantee that 8 Gig internet service is extended to their homes under this program.

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, including a 2024 Gold Stevie Award by The American Business Awards, a 2024 and 2023 Best Place to Work from the Nashville Business Journal, a 2023 Top 100 Fiber-To-The-Home Leader designation, 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.