RICHMOND—
Ever since Google announced plans to roll out faster internet connections to at least 50,000 Americans, cities around the world have been trying to convince Google to bring the pilot program to them.The City of Topeka, Kansas is trying to get their attention by changing its name to Google for the entire month of March.
And now, the City of Richmond is also in the running.
It will need to show creativity, enthusiam, and strong community support for the project when it launches a short video next week.
If the City wins, it would put Richmond on the map globally.
City leaders say it's equal to a City being awarded the Olympics.
But they're up against some tough competition.
From the James River, to Monument Avenue.
And those Historic homes on Churchhill.
The City of Richmond is using everything in its arsenal to impress Google Incorporated.
The reason? Faster internet service.
"We have a lot of diversity. We have a lot of opportunity and we've also been a consistent test bed for a lot of projects and products throughout the country," said Andreas Addison with Richmond Works.
And Richmond is just one of 80 cities across the country competing for Google's new ultra high speed internet connection. Up to 100 times faster than what you have now.
"This is a great opportunity for the City of Richmond to put ourselves on the map for technological advancements and the betterment of our community as a whole," said Addison.
Addison says that means more businesses and jobs to the River City.
And expanding the faster service to schools, hospitals and homes.
So, how important is that to you?
"I'm pretty happy with what I've got. So, but if something comes along that better, I'll let everybody pay for the RND and slip in after the price comes down," said Steve Smith.
Mention a cost to others.
"I pay way too much in taxes and everything else in this City. I love the City, but no. Reporter: You'll stick with what you have? Yeah," said Sue Lewis.
So for now, Richmond is pulling out all of the stops to get this Google service.
"It is a big deal, if we have 10,000 people that are fans of the facebook page, if we have 5,000 people follow us on twitter, that's just another indicator of how Richmond supports Google coming here," Ross Catrow with RVA News.
Details of exactly what Google will provide and what it will cost is unclear.
But according to the Wall Street Journal, at least one city, San Francisco says the cost of building the network would be about $1500 per home or more than $200 million for a City with 500,000 people.
Andreas Addison says the City would potentially make some money if Google paid for the underground equipment and use of telephone poles like Comcast and Verizon have to do.
