As we reported in our last issue, TDS broke ground on our broadband stimulus expansion project in Chatham, Mich. Since breaking ground, we have just over 80 percent of the conduit buried in the project area and are pulling fiber optic cable through the conduit. Eleven local residents have been hired to work on the project, which should be completed by the end of June 2012.

All 44 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects TDS received funding for are officially underway. The four engineering firms TDS hired to manage the projects are currently getting environmental permits, staking out the routes, obtaining site easements, and ordering materials. Simultaneously, TDS buyers are working to obtain the fiber-optic cabling necessary to complete the projects. By the end of 2013, the projects are expected to be completed. Once they are, 27,100 new broadband customers, in 20 states, will be able to enjoy access to high-speed Internet services from TDS.

Updates on our stimulus projects will continue to be posted on our web site and sent to local newspapers. When final construction gets underway, customers in the areas will receive mailings about newly available products and services.