In Tennessee, municipal broadband providers cannot extend services outside their electric territory, even if the providers would have the ability to provide the service. Therefore, rural electric and telephone cooperatives have stepped into this void to provide broadband services. The Southeast Tennessee Development District has worked with Bledsoe Telephone Cooperative for the past 10 years to identify, secure, and deploy grant dollars toward the last mile broadband infrastructure.
📢 2026 Annual Conference: Call for Session Proposals 📢
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DEADLINE: Friday, August 1, 2025
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The Development District Association of Appalachia is holding its Annual Conference in Arlington, Virginia from March 8-11, 2026. We plan to share cutting-edge ideas, highlight success stories and lessons learned, and engage with other LDDs during our annual gathering. DDAA is seeking compelling session proposals to ensure a comprehensive program. Session proposals should address topics and trends that reflect the wide-ranging needs and interests of member region, states or LDDs, with a focus on this year’s theme of Navigating Change, Cultivating Strength.