IC Area Applying for Google Fiber Optic Project

ICAD Group Community Investors form Broadband Coalition

Several communities in the Johnson County urbanized area - Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, and University Heights - have formed the Iowa City Area Broadband Coalition (ICABC) in the hopes of becoming one of the communities that Google selects to be part of its high-tech, ultra high-speed broadband test network.

Google, a multi-national computing and Internet search technologies corporation, has announced that it will accept a limited number of communities from across the country to serve as test markets for its broadband fiber optics project, which it claims would deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what typical residential consumers now experience.

To garner support for the application, ICABC has launched a web site, www.icabc.org, through which local residents can learn more about the project, help support the ICABC application by submitting nominations to Google, and keep updated on the progress of the project through Facebook and Twitter.

Members of ICABC feel that the Iowa City urbanized area is a strong contender for the Google project, based on the high-tech and innovative environment that exists here, due in large part to the University of Iowa research projects, medical complexes and medical teaching facilities. In its application, ICABC will also focus on the local business community.

Applications and nominations will be accepted through March 26. For more information, contact Kristopher Ackerson, transportation planner for the Johnson County Council of Governments, at (319) 356-5247 or e-mail kristopher-ackerson@iowa-city.org.