TDS awarded $12.9 Million Broadband Grant in Tennessee

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS^®), a Madison, Wisconsin-based communications company, was awarded a $12.9 million grant from the Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund – American Rescue Plan. The broadband grant will help fund a broadband expansion project to deliver 1,000Mbps/1Gig internet speeds to rural residents of Monroe County, Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development awarded the grants utilizing federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to bring faster internet speeds to unserved and underserved areas in the state.

The broadband grant is TDS’ largest individual broadband grant to date.

“TDS is pleased to receive support on this impactful project that will greatly benefit homes and businesses in rural areas of Monroe County,” said Drew Petersen, senior vice president of Corporate Relations. “We would like to thank the grant evaluators for recognizing the value of TDS’ application.”

The grant will help fund a fiber-to-the-home project to upgrade services to 3,709 locations. The application received hundreds of letters of support from the area; many residents said the increase in internet speeds is desperately needed.

"Monroe County is very excited to partner with our friends at TDS once again to provide much needed infrastructure in underserved communities in our county.  Thank you to the State of Tennessee for having the confidence in us to be good stewards of these grant monies,” said Monroe County Mayor Mitch Ingram.

Under the program parameters, the project must be completed by the end of August 2025.