Kalamazoo keeping quiet on plans to woo Google

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Cities all across America are trying to catch Google's eye and become a test market for a new fiber-optic network.

In West Michigan, Holland, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo have all launched efforts to score the deal.

So far, it seems that Kalamazoo is keeping its strategy close to the vest, but Newschannel 3 has been told to expect some announcement to come in the next several days.

In the meantime, people and businesses around Kalamazoo are getting excited about the idea of super-fast internet in Kalamazoo.

Wi-Fi gives coffee drinkers a quick connection at Café Casa, but Google's new fiber-optic lines would be like a big kick off caffeine for area computers.

“I think it would be great for Kalamazoo,” said Kathy Beebe, president of Café Casa, “it would really help put us on the map.”

Google's new fiber-optic lines would provide internet service that's up to 100 times faster than what most people are used to, like going from a slow saunter to a full-out run.

“Fast is an advantage in today's society,” said Chris Lampen-Crowell, owner of Gazelle Sports, “from communication to business innovation, engineering, all the things that are important for building the next generation of economic sustainability.”

But what is going to make Kalamazoo stand out from dozens of other cities around the country that think they should have the fastest internet around?

The city is encouraging the public to go online and nominate the community, and to take it a step further.

“We are definitely encouraging people to find ways to showcase Kalamazoo,” said Michael Cross, Kalamazoo IT Operations Manager.

A behind the scenes effort is underway in Kalamazoo to put together a pitch to Google, but so far, the city isn't revealing anything too flashy.

A group of community members is working together on how to best put Kalamazoo in the running.