Three McMinn County Industrial Parks Designated As AT&T Fiber Ready

ATHENS, Tenn., Sept. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of AT&T's continuing efforts to drive economic development and investment in Tennessee, AT&T and representatives from the McMinn County Economic Development Authority today announced that the Interstate, Mt. Verd, and North Etowah Industrial Parks in McMinn County are now designated AT&T Fiber Ready.

The AT&T Fiber Ready designation helps economic development leaders more effectively position their communities for site selection by emphasizing the availability of high-speed, fiber-based services. 

"I am proud to highlight these three Industrial Parks in McMinn County as examples of the many places across Tennessee where AT&T's fiber infrastructure is in place and ready to help local businesses drive job creation," said Joelle Phillips, president of AT&T Tennessee. "Our employees are turning our billions of dollars of investment into high-speed Internet for consumers and businesses across Tennessee, and that work is possible in large part because of the smart, pro-investment policies, championed at the state level by Gov. Haslam and legislative leaders, and because of the pro-business pursuits of local leaders."

In today's world, connectivity is vital to new employers and businesses of every type.

AT&T has been deploying high-speed, fiber-optic infrastructure across Tennessee for years, and the AT&T Fiber Ready designation was developed as a tool for economic development leaders to highlight the assets available in their facilities.

"Our state and local elected officials have worked hard to improve the economic environment across Tennessee, and the AT&T Fiber Ready designation, when combined with that improved business environment, will be key in attracting new businesses to McMinn County," said Kathy Price, executive director of the McMinn County Economic Development Authority. "The AT&T Fiber Ready designation is a new tool that our friends at AT&T have developed to make it clear that world-class communications networks are readily available for our tenants, and I am thrilled that three parks – the North Etowah, Interstate, and Mt. Verd Industrial Parks – in McMinn County are receiving the AT&T Fiber Ready designation today."

"The work that has been done in Nashville and here at home to improve our workforce, open the doors to investment, and strengthen our local economies has brought our state to a point where we are among the leaders in attracting new jobs and investment in Tennessee," said State Senator Mike Bell. "I am excited to learn of this new tool that our economic development leaders have in their tool belts to help emphasize the resources that our community brings to the table when companies are looking for a place to call home."

"The competition among states and communities to attract new businesses is very intense, and many times, the decision between one community and another hinges on one or two essential items – the availability of fiber-based, high-speed infrastructure is one of those determining factors," said State Rep. John Forgety. "It is my hope that this new designation will help to bring McMinn County to the top of the list for employers looking to relocate in a new community."

"Investment in high-speed Internet infrastructure is key for a successful economic future in McMinn County," said McMinn County Mayor John Gentry. "While AT&T has served residents and businesses in McMinn County for years, this new designation will help to enhance our efforts to attract new employers."

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions around the globe connect with leading entertainment, mobile, high speed Internet and voice services. We're the world's largest provider of pay TV. We have TV customers in the U.S. and 11 Latin American countries. In the U.S., our wireless network offers the nation's strongest LTE signal and the most reliable 4G LTE network. We offer the best global wireless coverage*. And we help businesses worldwide serve their customers better with our mobility and secure cloud solutions.

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Reliability and signal strength claims based on nationwide carriers' LTE. Signal strength claim based ONLY on avg. LTE signal strength. LTE not available everywhere.

*Global coverage claim based on offering discounted voice and data roaming; LTE roaming; voice roaming; and world-capable smartphone and tablets in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier. Coverage not available in all areas. Coverage may vary per country and be limited/restricted in some countries.

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