MLConnect Broadband Growing

Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative plans to start Phase 3 of a project to make broadband an option for all members. This phase has 29 design areas and includes the rural parts of Lewis and Perry counties. Construction is set to begin in December 2020 and will span approximately 14 months, with in-home/business installations expected to start in April 2021.

Taking advantage of a time sensitive Tennessee Economic and Community Development broadband accessibility grant, Phase 3 construction will begin in southern Perry County. After the grant area, construction will suspend in Perry County while right of way is cleared in the remaining parts of the county. During this time, fiber crews will move to and complete all of Lewis County because its right of way is more clear and ready for fiber construction. Once done, fiber construction crews will return and finish Perry County.

“We announced the formation of MLConnect on this day two years ago and have made a lot of progress and learned from experience,” says MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “Fast, affordable, dependable broadband internet has always been important, but with COVID-19, the need has intensified for remote learning, telework and telemedicine.”

The rural areas of Hickman County served by MLEC will comprise the fourth and final phase of the project. Construction is expected to start in October 2021 and conclude by the end of 2022, with installations beginning as individual design areas (sections) are complete. MLConnect is live in all nine Phase I cities across MLEC’s five counties. Phase 2 construction (Houston and Humphreys counties) is expected to wrap in January 2021, and installations are already underway in 25 of the 63 design areas.

“It takes time to build a quality, 100-percent fiber broadband network, but we are committed and coming,” says Carnahan.