Maury County Breaks Ground on Major Rural Broadband Expansion

Issue #145

11 Jul

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🌤 Columbia Weather - Mostly sunny with a high of 90

📰 Maury County Breaks Ground on Major Rural Broadband Expansion

🪕 Catch Cirque Du Soleil’s Songblazers in Nashville This Month

🤠 Save The Date: Freedom Reigns’ 10th Anniversary Hoedown

📌 Saturday: Mid-Tennessee Record Fair in Spring Hill

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details! 

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, July 11th

Friday, July 12th

Saturday, July 13th

Sunday, July 14th

Wednesday, July 16th

Thursday, July 18th

Maury County Breaks Ground on Major Rural Broadband Expansion

Maury County officially broke ground on a significant project to expand broadband services to its rural communities, including homes, businesses, and schools. This initiative is a result of collaborations between the county, state, Duck River Electric, and United Communications, which won the bid to oversee the installation.

Part of the larger Project UNITE initiative aiming for universal high-speed internet access, the project secured $53.4 million in broadband infrastructure grants through the Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund in 2022. Maury County received the largest share, totaling $17 million, with an additional $7.4 million contributed by the Maury County Commission and United, bringing the total investment to $24.4 million.

Mayor Sheila Butt highlighted the critical need for improved communication options for both adults and students in the county. She commended the collaborative efforts of Duck River Electric, United Communications, the State of Tennessee, and Maury County in making the project possible.

County Commission Chair Eric Previti acknowledged the significant citizen support that played a crucial role in securing the grant. He expressed gratitude to the residents for their efforts in writing letters requesting the grant. Previti also announced an expansion of the project from reaching 4,000 residents to 6,500, benefiting those with limited access to broadband providers who did not qualify for grant funding.

DREMC Interim President and CEO Troy Crowell emphasized the importance of the project in connecting rural areas in Middle Tennessee to high-speed internet service. United Communications' COO Josh Lynch, a Maury County resident, noted the project's potential to save money on installation and monthly service costs for residents, particularly those with long driveways and costly fiber runs.

The project is expected to be completed by mid-2025, promising fast, reliable internet service and exceptional customer service for the community.

Catch Cirque Du Soleil’s Songblazers in Nashville This Month

Cirque Du Soleil will be performing their “Songblazers” show at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville this month from July 2 - 28.

Delivering the perfect harmony of guitar grooves & breathtaking moves, Songblazers is a one-of-a-kind theatrical production celebrating country music that pays homage to its legendary and modern day trailblazers. With its acrobatic and live musical performance showcasing the captivating artistry of Cirque du Soleil and the soul-stirring melodies of beloved country rhythms, this engaging experience celebrates the diverse influences of country music and its heartfelt stories through time.

Save The Date: Freedom Reigns’ 10th Anniversary Hoedown

Save The Date!

In October we begin our 10th Anniversary as an organization. Help us kick off this celebratory year with a HOEDOWN: Dinner, Dance, and Fundraiser.

This event is for ALL ages with fun elements for the whole family!

Live Music, Dinner, Photo Booth, Meet The Horses, Pony Rides, Tours, Silent Auction, Bale Bucking Contest, Square Dancing, Games, Crafts, and a whole lot more!! It's going to be a good ole fashioned Hoedown to raise money for our free-of-charge programs!

Sponsorship information coming soon - help us start our year strong as we continue to grow and provide mentorship to children and young adults in our community who have experienced trauma and other life-challenges.

RSVP will be required and will go live July 16!

We can't wait to see you and all of your friends on Saturday, September 14.

Find more information here

Saturday: Mid-Tennessee Record Fair in Spring Hill

Our first record show, the Mid-Tennessee Record Fair, will be held Saturday July 13th, 2024. The venue will be packed with greatness from all across the USA! Come see us this Saturday!

Early entry at 10 AM includes record tote, sticker, gift certificate from $5 to $100 ($20)
Standard admission ($5) - 11 AM - 4 PM

125 Stephen P. Yokich Pkwy, Spring Hill

🎵 This Week’s Live Music 🎵

Thursday, July 11th

Taylor Hughes, Puckett's, 6-7:30 PM
Stevierock, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, July 12th

Brandt Archer & Damien Boggs, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Kelley Ann Williams, Ransom Spirits & Provisions, 7:30 PM
Craig Morris & King Cotton, Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Escape, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, July 13th

Nick Bentley, Keg Springs Winery, 2-5 PM
Music on the Ridge - Box of Rox, Amber Falls Winery, 3-7 PM
Tim Turner Band, The Tilted Mule, 7 PM
Stevierock, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Yonder Grove, Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Backlit, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, July 14th

Music on the Ridge - John Salaway, Amber Falls Winery, 1-5 PM
Don McKinnon, The Tilted Mule, 3 PM
Level 77, The Rebel, 4 PM
Archer, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 5-8 PM
Brian & Aletha Golden, Puckett's, 6-7:30 PM

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