(7/15) An investigation into whether Thurmont may establish a municipally owned internet service continues to progress, as the town Internet Commission prepares to engage in taking a need and use survey of residents and local businesses.

Resident Elliot Jones, who is heading-up the Internet Commission, said the council will have to approve launching the survey effort (Jones said the commission might be able to distribute the surveys with the electric bills).

The purpose of establishing a Thurmont-owned service would be to provide businesses and residents with an option of accessing the internet in addition to those commercial services presently available. "The idea is not to replace (commercial services) but to provide competition.," Jones said.

The COVID-18 pandemic has also fostered interest due to the increased use of the internet in conjunction with working remotely, streaming town meetings, and on-line shopping.

Jones said he fielded the idea of a locally owned service while running for a seat of the town Board of Commissioners last year, which also garnered the support of Commissioner Martin Burns. The Internet Commission was subsequently established in March to amass information and explore options, and to report their findings to the council.

The commission consists of several local individuals, and anyone interested is welcome to become part of the exploratory body.

Thus far, Jones and other members have contacted several municipalities that offers non-commercially owned services, as well as the non-profit Maryland Broadband Cooperative for assistance and ideas on how to establish a service.

Regarding exactly how much it may cost a community to establish a municipally owned internet service, Jones said there is no exact figure, and the cost numbers can be all over the place. For example, among communities that have municipal internet with populations approximating that of Thurmont, Fairlawn, Ohio, spent around $10 million on their local internet system; Mont Belvieu, Texas, and Rio Blanco County, Colorado, each spent $13 million on their systems, and Marshall, Michigan, spent only $2.5 million.

Upon completion of the business and resident surveys, the commission will then be in a position to approach the town council, equipped in such a manner as to enable the council to make decisions regarding the next move, or even whether or not to proceed any further, Jones stated.

"The surveys will give them more definition if they want to build this at this time," Jones said, noting that the next phase for the council may be to engage a consultant to flesh-out options and associated costs.