SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. —Local youth and community leaders gathered yesterday to commemorate United Communications’ completed broadband infrastructure investment in Shelbyville, Tenn. Officials at the local event connected the last two ceremonial wires at a celebration to launch a new 8-Gig fiber broadband connection at the Boys & Girls Club of Bedford County.

To date, United has invested $4 million in Shelbyville as part of a larger dedicated fiber network built to serve the residents and local businesses of Bedford County. In addition to supporting the local Boys & Girls Club, United also provides free public Wi-Fi access on the historic Shelbyville Square. Until recently, many towns across Middle Tennessee, like Shelbyville, have lacked access to reliable internet connections.

Cable-based internet connections are always split up to serve multiple customers at once, resulting in mismatched download and upload speeds, while 5G cellular and satellite internet plans suffer from long transmission delays and unreliable connections based on changing weather and atmospheric conditions.

In contrast, United’s high-speed fiber service in Shelbyville will provide every customer with a dedicated hardwire connection capable of multi-gig download speeds and matching upload speeds with industry-leading reliability at 99.99% network uptime.

“United Communications is showing what it means to be a true community partner,” remarked Shelbyville Mayor Randy Carroll. “With United Communications’ $4 million investment in Shelbyville, we’re opening doors for our local businesses, our students to excel academically, and our entire community to thrive in the digital age.”

To celebrate its significant investment in and local commitment to Shelbyville, United has upgraded the local Boys & Girls Club’s internet service to an 8-Gig fiber connection provided at no cost to the club or its enrolled families. Additionally, United is working to expand its 8-Gig offering across the company’s entire Middle Tennessee service area.

The voluntary after-school program uses its ultra-fast internet connection to provide a wide range of enrichment programming, including introductory computer science, digital literacy essentials, and online homework assistance for students of all ages.

“Technology is playing an increasingly significant role in how we help educate our students and prepare them for 21st-century careers,” said Josh Lynch, who serves as Chief Operating Officer at United Communications and as a board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Bedford County.

“This upgrade will provide area students with one of the fastest connections in Middle Tennessee,” Lynch added. “Our youth deserve every opportunity to expand and fulfill their potential, and I’m grateful that United Communications is able to play a role in their education outside the classroom.”

“United Communications has been a great supporter of our Bedford County Boys & Girls Club,” said Sheryl Chesnutt, the Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rutherford County. “This upgrade is a great example of their investment in the lives of our members and our mission to enable all young people, especially those who need us most to reach their full potential as productive, caring responsible citizens.”

“Being comfortable and confident with technology is important for future success, and it all starts with great technological support provided by our friends at United Communications,” Chesnutt concluded.

The Boys & Girls Club is just one of several organizations that qualifies for a new community giving referral campaign started by United Communications. This initiative, “Connectivity for a Cause,” donates $100 to local schools, sports teams, clubs, or 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations for every new, referred United internet customer.

Representatives of local groups that may qualify for the program are encouraged to visit United’s Connectivity for a Cause website where they can generate a custom referral code for their organizations.

To sign up for service now in Shelbyville or to learn more about United, visit United.net or call 1-800-779-2227.

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, 2024 and 2023 Best Place to Work from the Nashville Business Journal, 2023 Top 100 Fiber-To-The-Home Leader, a 2023 Torch Award from the BBB, and a Smart Rural Community Provider.

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.