Google announced today, March 30, that Kansas City will be the first city to receive its experimental high-speed Internet network. The city outbid Asheville and more than 1,000 other communities across the country to win the service.
Garnishing the support of many city, county and business leaders who said the service would be a huge boon to the area's economy, last spring's local grassroots campaign included an Asheville City Council-endorsed "Google Moment" to encourage citizens to nominate the town.
Google has said the new fiber cables will enable broadband Internet connections that are up to 100 times faster than what most of the country has today.
Why did the award go to Kansas? Here's an excerpt of the announcement from Google:
In selecting a city, our goal was to find a location where we could build efficiently, make an impact on the community and develop relationships with local government and community organizations. We’ve found this in Kansas City. We’ll be working closely with local organizations including the Kauffman Foundation, KCNext and the University of Kansas Medical Center to help develop the gigabit applications of the future. Pending approval from the city’s Board of Commissioners, we plan to offer service beginning in 2012.
All hope is not lost, however. Google adds that: "We’ll also be looking closely at ways to bring ultra high-speed Internet to other cities across the country."
Garnishing the support of many city, county and business leaders who said the service would be a huge boon to the area's economy, last spring's local grassroots campaign included an Asheville City Council-endorsed "Google Moment" to encourage citizens to nominate the town.
Google has said the new fiber cables will enable broadband Internet connections that are up to 100 times faster than what most of the country has today.
Why did the award go to Kansas? Here's an excerpt of the announcement from Google:
In selecting a city, our goal was to find a location where we could build efficiently, make an impact on the community and develop relationships with local government and community organizations. We’ve found this in Kansas City. We’ll be working closely with local organizations including the Kauffman Foundation, KCNext and the University of Kansas Medical Center to help develop the gigabit applications of the future. Pending approval from the city’s Board of Commissioners, we plan to offer service beginning in 2012.
All hope is not lost, however. Google adds that: "We’ll also be looking closely at ways to bring ultra high-speed Internet to other cities across the country."
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You mean March 30, right?
By Annie Napalm
03/30/2011
Kansas City: The center of creativity, and business entrepreneurial zeal.
What’s the matter with Kansas?
Goggle the city/state, or better yet, visit it and you’ll see for yourself.
By LamontCranston
03/30/2011
Yes, thanks for catching that, Annie.
By Jake Frankel
03/30/2011
Happy to help. It happens...as I well know!
By Annie Napalm
03/30/2011
Asheville needs to come up with its own version of this:
http://www.greenlightnc.com/
By JKnows
03/31/2011
Um, folks?
Kansas City is in Missouri.
By tatuaje
03/31/2011
Ummm Tatuaje...KC, Kc. is across the river..in Kansas.
By D. Dial
03/31/2011
DD, you are right.
I was confused.
KCK did, indeed, get the fibers.
By tatuaje
03/31/2011
Guess you need a better credentials then "beer City USA" to lure Google to Asheville huh?
Its ok KC gets Google figer, Rutherfordton gets the Facebook Data base, Asheville wins Internet polls, we know who the real winner is.
By Asheville Dweller
03/31/2011
Congrats to KC!! Great town!
By dpewen
03/31/2011
Could it have anything to do with the fact that Kansas City isn't known as 'Beer City USA?'
By Bjorn
03/31/2011
Could it have anything to do with the fact that Kansas City isn’t known as ‘Beer City USA?’
Most likely. Everyone knows Google are controlled by the prohibitionists. And they obviously take random internet blog polls very seriously.
By bill smith
04/01/2011
But Asheville Takes Random Internet Polls way too Seriously.
By Asheville Dweller
04/01/2011
But Asheville Takes Random Internet Polls way too Seriously.
You do? Why?
By bill smith
04/06/2011
Not really, its a joke just like Asheville, Nice comeback, can't refute what I say, then attack me. So Open minded.
By Asheville Dweller
04/06/2011
Asheville Dweller, why do attack people? I would leave Asheville if I thought it was a joke.
By dpewen
04/06/2011
I dont hate asheville I just think its a joke, and not not leaving, because this little woodstock is coming to an end and Asheville will be vibrant once again.
And one day soon Asheville will get some great chances at Jobs again, jobs that count not this tourist garbage we have now but something that lasts.
He couldnt address my statement because its correct, this town is more worried about the next fad or bandwagon frill to come along then it is with the long run, so win those Internet polls while people go jobless, keep talking and do nothing about it, it what Asheville does, its all Talk.
By Asheville Dweller
04/06/2011
You seem bitter ... I live downtown and much is happening but then again I am not a bitter person.
Where is the Woodstock crowd?
By dpewen
04/06/2011
Nice comeback, can’t refute what I say, then attack me
Huhn? How did I 'attack you'?
Is your name not "Asheville Dweller"? Are you not part of the Asheville you condemn? Or are you somehow separate from those you condemn in one vague swoop?
By bill smith
04/07/2011
And one day soon Asheville will get some great chances at Jobs again, jobs that count not this tourist garbage we have now but something that lasts.
Yes, the economy of Asheville was BOOMING prior to all these tourists coming here and dismantling the factories.
Tourist-related jobs are a sight better than no jobs at all, wouldn't you say? (or are you one of those anti-capitalist anarchists?)
By bill smith
04/07/2011
Asking your question was the attack, "You do, Why" I made a statement you couldnt argue with it so you deflected it by making it about me.
Sure tell that to the unemployed that cant make ends meet working the part time garbage. Some people dont have 5 roomates help make ends meet.
Just because every week a new brewery opens or a new bar doesnt mean the Economy is booming.
in a few years these places will be closed just like the coffee shops before them its a fad . . .
Tourist jobs are ok at best but not in the long run, this town needs to stop running off REAL jobs with Benefits.
So a person has to work 2-3 Tourist jobs to make ends meet? It can be done but its not practical
it doesnt make sense to those trying to get ahead.
Ive said it once and Ill say it 1000 times Warm and fuzzies do not pay the bills.
By Asheville Dweller
04/07/2011
Tourist related jobs are and will be the only jobs available here for the next few years.
I would suggest Asheville Deweller get some type of degree and go where the jobs are. I moved many times during my career for my job ... I did not complain just did what was necessary!
By dpewen
04/07/2011