WOODSFIELD — Monroe County commissioners are considering holding a public forum to allow broadband providers to showcase services to residents in the county.

Commissioner Mick Schumacher said Monday that there are many different carriers that provide internet services in and around the county — some that provide good service and some that do not.

He said commissioners want to help residents, from a cooperative standpoint, find good and reliable service.

Schumacher said a public showcasing of these services would allow residents the option to find what works best for them in the area where they live.

“Rather than anyone feel like we’re moving in on somebody’s territory, I think we should have a fair where each one (broadband providers) can set up a table and represent their business, and then have people talk about where they live and what kind of service they have and what they don’t have,” he said.

Schumacher said he feels the public meeting would be the best course of action to bring all parties together. He added that some people are unable to attend a commissioners’ meeting to discuss the matter due to conflicting work schedules. The commission meetings are held at 9 a.m. every Monday at the courthouse in Woodsfield.

“It would be similar to an open house — just have the carriers all have displayed and let them showcase what they’re doing and bring everybody together to see what happens,” he said. “Until people are together talking, I don’t think we’re going to accomplish much.”

He and fellow Commissioners Diane Burkhart and Bill Bolon will continue to discuss the matter.

“We’re taking it all under advisement,” Schumacher said.

In other matters, Mary Jo Westfall, Ohio State University Extension Office associate, met with commissioners Monday to award a bid for an improvement project to the Monroe County Theatre.

The theater was the recipient of $279,300 in Neighborhood Revitalization Grant funding. The project includes replacing the roof, repointing brickwork and masonry work to the exterior of the building.

A three-person group that is unaffiliated with the theater or commissioners reviewed and selected the architecture firm, Schumacher said.

Schooley Caldwell of Columbus was recommended to oversee the improvements.

“They (Schooley) were chosen because they have a strong preservation background,” he said.

Commissioners signed a contract with the architecture firm for $18,000.

The firm will perform the project’s preliminary work including putting the project out to bid.

The project is not slated to begin until 2022; however, Schumacher is hoping to push the project forward as the theater’s roof has had issues in the past with leaks.

Westfall said she would contact the firm to further discuss a project timeline.