How Rural Broadband is Transforming Communities
Colin Garner, Wolf Line Construction CEO, recently joined the "Route to Success" podcast hosted by Sara Orellana—an exploration of leadership, strategy, and collaboration with people driving change in their communities. Garner discussed his career and why rural broadband infrastructure is more than a technical project—it connects communities and drives opportunity.
Expanding Broadband Access to Rural Communities
When Orellana asked what Wolf Line's work looks like on the ground, Garner painted a vivid picture. He described bucket trucks, drilling rigs, flashing lights, and traffic controllers stringing fiber optic cable along existing power lines across thousands of miles.
Beyond all the mechanical and operational components, what stands out is the overwhelming community response to having internet access for the first time. “We've literally had our crews approached by folks with a cake to say, 'Thanks so much for being here.'"
More Than Just Internet Access
This isn't just about streaming videos. In rural South Carolina, for example, farmers are eager to implement smart farm systems—temperature controls, automated feeding, monitoring cameras—none of which work without reliable high-speed internet. The need is real, and so is the gratitude. As Garner put it, "When Wolf Line is on a job, you can really feel the impact and positivity."
Orellana disclosed her surprise when she learned parts of the U.S. still lack basic internet access. Garner confirmed that the gap is more common than many realize. "Anybody that has zero service and [hears] it's coming, they're over the moon."
The Challenges: Geography Meets Economics
The core delivery challenge is economic: rugged terrain and long distances between rural homes make deployment costs enormous. "You've got to string miles of fiber to get one house." That return-on-investment problem has historically kept many providers away—leaving rural communities without digital access.
Why It Matters
Broadband access means telehealth reaching remote areas, work-from-home jobs opening to rural residents, and students learning at home instead of hunting for WiFi at McDonald's. The infrastructure that Wolf Line installs isn't just fiber broadband—it's access to the modern economy.
Garner is optimistic for the future: "It's really awesome to see farms and rural areas get served [after they’ve been left behind for so long]... It's just snowballing and getting better."
