NEW CUMBERLAND — Commissioners in Hancock County have agreed to provide money to set up broadband internet service in portions of New Cumberland that now are considered underserved.

The commission, on Thursday, approved a contribution of $5,000 to serve as seed money for the installation of wireless broadband internet service through Agile Networks, which will provide download speeds of 25 megabytes per second and upload speeds of up to 3 megabytes for residents in the Hardins Run and New Manchester area.

As part of the installation of services, Agile Networks will provide a special deal for the first 28 customers who sign up for the services. The deal consists of a monthly rate of $52 for unlimited access for 36 months, which was lowered from the original rate of $75 monthly, and no installation fee, which usually starts at $150.

The request was made by Mark DeBruyn of the West Virginia Office of Technology, who spoke about the matter during the April 6 meeting. DeBruyn said he received a letter from an area resident.

After visiting the area, DeBruyn learned no cable or landline providers were willing to extend services to the neighborhood due to the low population. He soon was able to come to an agreement with Agile, but the company would need a minimum of 20 customers to sign a 36-month contract.

Should more than 28 customers sign up, Agile will still provide the $52 monthly rate, and after the project is completed, customers will also have no installation fees — provided commissioners are willing to cover the installation fee per resident to offset costs.

Commissioner Jeff Davis said the state Office of Technology also is looking to develop a project at Tomlinson Run State Park to offer free Wi-Fi service to visitors and campers there. However, that project was a different matter from what the commission was voting on Thursday.

Davis also stated if other communities are needing internet access they should contact the state technology office.

Meanwhile, the commission approved a $100 donation request from the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Resource Day committee.

Also regarding financial requests, the commission made two requests matters of record — one from the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary to send a girl to Rhododendron Girls State’s 2018 session in Elkins in June, and one for the Keep New Cumberland Beautiful Committee for the 2018 Make It Shine Event and for help in removing bricks, cement and piles of dirt near the Magistrate Court.

While no dollar amounts were presented by the commission, they did agree to clean up the area with a deadline date set for June 30.

(Rappach can be contacted at srappach@reviewonline.com)