Officials say Bedford County reaches broadband milestone; $100,000 grant signed for telehealth and digital access

County leaders told the Rules and Legislative Committee they have made major progress on a multi-year broadband effort: United Communications has deployed fiber service to more than 11,000 homes in Bedford County and completed about 100 miles of high-speed fiber in eastern parts of the county, officials said. The county also signed a $100,000 broadband-ready grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to expand telehealth, workforce development and digital access for underserved residents.

An official reported the recent fiber buildout serves areas including Wartrace and Normandy and that the county’s broadband initiative—coordinated with Connect Bedford, United Communications, UT Extension and the Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership—will use the grant to support telehealth at the veterans center, job-readiness and digital access for farmers at the UT Extension office. The official said the county signed the contract and will meet with county IT staff to finalize procurement and distribution plans.

Speakers thanked state leaders for funding and noted the county is approaching a final phase for a larger broadband program; the presenter said there is news about a large state broadband appropriation (reported in the meeting as a statewide $900 million appropriation) and that county officials are working to secure final touches for local projects. The county has not yet detailed specific procurement actions beyond signing the grant agreement and said it will finalize distribution and implementation steps in follow-up meetings.

The report was informational; no formal vote was taken beyond acceptance of the brief.