New Salem’s broadband initiative showcased

New Salem, a Franklin County town with roughly 1,000 residents, on May 26 was the focal point of a state initiative to promote broadband access in underserved parts of the state.

Gov. Deval Patrick was joined in New Salem by Massachusetts Broadband Institute Director Sharon Gillett and other state and local officials to discuss the town’s efforts to promote economic development by making wireless broadband available to businesses and residents.

In 2007, New Salem, Florida and Worthington were chosen for a pilot program to expand broadband Internet access in western Massachusetts. The three towns, working with the regional entities Berkshire Connect and Pioneer Valley Connect, received funding to set up pilot programs making wireless Internet service available in limited areas within their communities.

After the initiative was under way, according to Jessica Atwood, economic development director for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, Verizon began rolling out DSL broadband service in some western Massachusetts communities, reducing the need for wireless access. But New Salem is not among the towns served by Verizon, and now that the 15-month pilot program has ended, the town’s Select Board is working with Newbury-based Access Plus Communications to continue the service.

Select Board Chair Steve Verney said residents have begun signing up with Access Plus, but service is only possible in the village center, covering about 10 percent of the town’s households. A key question, Verney said, is whether New Salem has the resources to build out the infrastructure so that a much larger proportion of the town would be covered.