TRAVERSE CITY -- A nonprofit organization will keep the film rolling on local public access television when it takes over operations next month.
The Land Information Access Association is busy constructing a studio at its Munson Avenue office for tctv2 and seeks funding from area townships.
"They are going to look for ways to improve and expand the service of TV2, one being the Web streaming," said Christine Maxbauer, a Grand Traverse County commissioner and member of the station's new advisory board. "We're looking at almost immediately being able to put local government meetings on the Internet."
The Traverse Area District Library supplies administrative services and oversees operation of tctv2, but will sever its involvement at the end of the month when area municipalities pull their funding.
The channel received 30 percent of cable franchise fees collected by Traverse City, Elmwood and Garfield townships, the last three members of the old Cherry Capital Cable Council. Paradise Township and the Village of Kingsley also contributed.
The council recently dissolved after changes to franchise agreements dropped Charter Communication's operational funding responsibilities, leaving local governments to foot the bill. Seven area townships left the council since that change in 2005.
LIAA hopes municipalities will still financially support its operation of tctv2 and governmental channel 99.
Traverse City commissioners approved an agreement to fund LIAA's station operation with portions of the franchise fees and 30-cent subscriber fees paid to the city by Charter.
The Elmwood Township board will consider a contract with LIAA on Tuesday, and the Garfield Township board will discuss a contract on Thursday.
"We, along with the city, have supported TV2 and said we would support it if there was life after (the cable council)," said Garfield Township Supervisor Lee Wilson. "It's a community-based media that people should have access to."
Residents of towns that provide funds to tctv2 will have free access to produce shows for the channel, and other people can participate by paying a fee and becoming a member, said Joe VanderMeulen, executive director of LIAA.
"We've got to provide for people who don't have the municipal support. It's the citizens' soap box, we want to let everyone have a chance," he said. "The viewing area goes all the way to the (Mackinac) bridge, so it's a big viewing area and we want to make sure those folks have opportunities, too."
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