For over a decade, Sellenriek has been a strategic partner to United Fiber, helping the co-op turn a bold vision for fiber internet into a wide-reaching reality. What began as a small buildout has grown into one of the most extensive and ongoing rural-urban fiber deployments in the region.
From early engineering to splicing, permitting, and maintenance, Sellenriek has played a full-scope role in building the United Fiber network, an initiative that continues to evolve as demand for high-speed connectivity grows.
This case study explores Sellenriek Construction’s long-term partnership with United Fiber through overcoming key challenges and becoming a trusted utility partner built on quality, transparency, and local commitment.
CHALLENGES
As United transitioned from power co-op to full-service fiber provider, they faced the complexities of deploying infrastructure across drastically different terrains, from open rural roads, to dense, utility-congested urban environments.
Each new area brought its own set of challenges, including varying soil types and rock formations, complex municipal permitting and compliance processes, time-intensive railroad bore requirements, and increased competition from other providers in urban zones.
The Sellenriek team rose to the challenge with a mix of strategic foresight, adaptable field operations, and the right equipment to get the job done efficiently and safely.
PROCESS
Sellenriek joined United early, when the co-op had just begun to explore fiber construction. Over the last decade, they’ve become a trusted turnkey partner, managing everything from engineering support to final splicing and quality control.
Full Scope Services Provided:
- Permitting and utility coordination (811, municipalities, road districts, Corps of Engineers)
- Aerial and underground fiber construction
- Directional drilling, rock drilling, and railroad bores (13+ completed)
- Cable plowing and drop installation
- Pole setting and aerial fiber installation
- Splicing, fiber testing, and system prep
- Emergency restoration and ongoing maintenance
With both aerial and underground capabilities at their disposal, Sellenriek was able to flex project strategy based on local field conditions, whether drilling through rock, plowing through soil, or navigating complex bore baths under active railroad tracks.
Permitting hurdles were approached with foresight. GPS-based locating, early city engagement, and clear communication kept delays minimal. Meanwhile, field crews used vacuum excavation and potholing equipment to safely expose utilities in dense areas.
Internally, the team deployed a robust inspection system to ensure transparency. Each vault, pole, splice, and restoration effort is photo-documented and date-stamped in the centralized dashboard, giving United full visibility into the build in real time.
Even as construction continues today, Sellenriek’s emergency response and maintenance crews are embedded in United’s network, ensuring outages are addressed quickly and proactively.
“We’re not going anywhere. If something’s not right, we fix it. That’s the Sellenriek way.” – Bradley Morgan, Sellenriek Construction
RESULTS
United’s fiber expansion, supported by Sellenriek’s expertise, has delivered measurable impact:
- Over 40,000 customers connected
- Ongoing buildouts across multiple counties and municipalities
- Hundreds of miles of aerial and underground infrastructure
- 24,000+ project inspections logged since 2024
- Reliable, documented quality and rapid issue resolution
Beyond the numbers, this long-term partnership represents something deeper: shared values of quality, transparency, and community investment.
United Fiber and Sellenriek Construction continue to work together not just as client and contractor, but as two local organizations committed to doing things right and building systems that last.
For municipalities, co-ops, and ISPs seeking a full-scope partner, this project proves that Sellenriek Construction’s turnkey utility model delivers on more than just construction. It delivers trust, results, and the infrastructure to grow.
