A handful of American cities are hoping to become testing grounds for a new fiber optic Internet connection being offered by Google. To catch the company's eye, many of these cities are making concerted -- and sometimes audacious -- efforts.
Being picked to host the Google fiber optic could be an economic boon for these cities, which expect to see an influx of tech companies moving to town to take advantage of the faster Internet connection.
Topeka, Kansas, for example, recently changed its name (unofficially) to Google, Kansas. Mayors of other cities have performed a variety of wacky stunts to get Google's attention. This piece from NPR looks at some of those efforts.
"Duluth Mayor Don Ness even took a February dip in the icy waters of Lake Superior just to get Google's attention.
In response, the mayor of Sarasota, Fla., went for a swim in a shark tank.
Sarasota also recruited Los Angeles singer-songwriter Lindsey Ray to do a jingle. A sample lyric: 'There's no limit to all the things that I can do, now that I found you, thank you Google Fiber.'"
FULL STORY: Internet Project Sparks Stunts For Google's Attention
Google Fiber Halts Expansion Plans
Alphabet will likely pursue other ways to deliver high-speed fiber-optic internet service.
Local Internet Is Faster
More than 300,000 speed tests showed that six of the ten fastest internet service providers were locally run, including the fastest: Sonic in California.
Google Fiber Expands to Four Southeastern Cities
Google announced last week it plans to expand high speed internet service in four fiber-ready cities, including Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh-Durham.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie