The town of Longboat Key is working together with Sarasota County and the cities of Sarasota, Venice and North Port to participate in an opportunity provided by Google to supply high-speed Internet to one or more trial locations across the country.

Google is looking for at least one community somewhere in America to become a test market for future technology called Google Fiber that could compete with companies such as Comcast and Verizon.

But the town and its partners need the support of residents and business owners, who must respond by March 26 to an online question being asked by the Internet giant.

Google is looking for communities to respond to the question, “Why is your community the ideal choice to partner with Google in putting in a high-speed fiber network?”

The project would deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than most people currently have at the same prices consumers already are paying for Internet service.

In addition to faster Internet, the surrounding area would be the center of world news and a testing ground for Google’s new revolutionary Web applications if it were approved for the area.

The town is urging local business owners and residents to go to www.longboatkey.org to find the link to the Google question and nomination form for the town of Longboat Key.

Residents must explain why they feel Longboat Key and the surrounding area would be a good trial area for the proposed fiber network.

The effort has received a pledge of support from the Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, contact Longboat Key Management Information Systems Director Kathi Pletzke at 316-1999.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at kschultheis@yourobserver.com.
 

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