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.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service