North Central Telephone Cooperative (NCTC) gathered with Trousdale County residents as well as county, state, and federal officials on Wednesday, May 31, for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction to a portion of the county.
The ceremony was held on the Stanley Holder farm on Halltown Road. More than 130 people were in attendance as NCTC’s Chief Executive Officer Nancy White and Trousdale County Mayor Carroll Carman enthusiastically welcomed guests.
NCTC was notified in late 2016 that it would be awarded an $800,000 grant to build a fiber network that will cover approximately 8.4 miles in the northern end of Trousdale County, including portions of Middle Fork Road, Celsor Road, Shoot Road, Gammons Lane, Storytown Road, Eden Lane, Highway 10, and Halltown Road.
“Thanks to this grant from RUS (Rural Utilities Service), the residents of this immediate area will have access to gig-capable broadband services at their home,” said Nancy White, Chief Executive Officer of NCTC. “Access to the fastest broadband speeds in the country provides limitless potential for education, for health care, for those who want to work at home.”
“This journey started about four years ago with the vision Mark Beeler, Mayor Carman and the county leaders had to bring broadband services to all of Trousdale County,” White said. “When the current service providers couldn’t help, we all worked hard to make this a reality.”
“Since being elected mayor, the No. 1 issue has been getting broadband,” Carman added. “I’m thankful that USDA and our legislature have opened the door.”
Also speaking was USDA Rural Development Acting State Director Harriet Cannon. “USDA Rural Development is excited to be a part of the progressive efforts of NCTC,” Cannon said. “The availability of broadband service is as necessary as electricity in today’s business environment. She assured residents that they will receive world class service with NCTC, “North Central has been one of the most aggressive builders of high speed broadband service, not only in Tennessee but also in the nation.”
Hilda Legg, former Administrator for USDA Rural Utilities Service and creator of the connected community grant program, addressed the audience as well and elaborated on Cannon’s statement by saying, “I work with electric co-ops and telephone co-ops all over the United States of America. There is not one that is better than NCTC.”
Assistant Administrator for USDA Rural Utilities Service Keith Adams put the competitive application process into perspective by stating, “Last year, we received almost 70 applications; we only awarded 7, and NCTC was one of those.”
Others participating in the event included State Senator Ferrell Haile, State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, USDA Area Director Joel Howard, USDA Program Director Keith Head, RUS General Field Representative Terry Kokinda, USDA Area Specialist Vance Hamilton and representatives from the offices of Senator Lamar Alexander and Representative Diane Black.
White said work will begin immediately and that service is expected to be available to area residents before the end of 2017, with the project scheduled for completion in early 2018. The 8.4-mile coverage area will cover an estimated 100 residences.
Also as part of this project, residents will have access to a staffed community center for two years to learn how to use the service.
NCTC is a nationally recognized Smart Rural Community and a Gig Certified Provider. For more information on the company, visit our website.
