West Virginia could soon start offering money to enlist help in meeting Gov. Joe Manchin's goal of statewide high-speed Internet access by 2010.

Legislation proposed today by Manchin would create a Broadband Deployment Fund. It would pay groups and others who successfully apply to pursue expanding access in under- or unserved parts of the Mountain State.

The fund would accept gifts and donations as well as state budget appropriations.

A seven-member Broadband Deployment Council chaired by the governor would consider applications for access projects and award funding.

But the bill would bar the council or its funded projects from competing with or duplicating services offered by private industry.

Legislation proposed today by Manchin would create a Broadband Deployment Fund. It would pay groups and others who successfully apply to pursue expanding access in under- or unserved parts of the Mountain State.

The fund would accept gifts and donations as well as state budget appropriations.

A seven-member Broadband Deployment Council chaired by the governor would consider applications for access projects and award funding.

But the bill would bar the council or its funded projects from competing with or duplicating services offered by private industry.