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.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
California Homeless Arrests, Citations Spike After Ruling
An investigation reveals that anti-homeless actions increased up to 500% after Grants Pass v. Johnson — even in cities claiming no policy change.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)