With Google Fiber headed to Kansas, where do we go from here?

4 Comments

1. 

   Asheville Dweller March 31, 2011

   We can always try to win as many internet polls as we can!!!!!!

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2. 

   Jack Thomson March 31, 2011

   I relocated here from Salisbury, NC about 6 months ago where they just completed installing fiber-to-the-home as a City run utility. The bill mentioned has been described as a "Time Warner" bill, though other powerful communications corps. have been pushing restrictions on local governments getting into the business. Salisbury's system was installed at a cost of $30 million+ on the assurance that any pending bill would exclude S'bury. It is/was touch and go even for them as some legislators are so influenced by these major telecoms that there was a threat to remove said exception. There has been some controversy over the installation of VRAD equip. in various traditional or historic neighborhoods in AVL. Salisbury is a historic area and had no problem avoiding adverse affects to those types of areas. ATT (VRAD utility) needs to work harder at integrating their equipment into these special areas in AVL. I agree terrain may pose challenge here; Salisbury viewed fiber as community development tool instead of servicing existing industry, though it will enhance econ development especially around the creative class

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3. 

   Leslie March 31, 2011

   It should be no surprise that Asheville was not selected by Google. This city just does not have the sufficient corporate or educational base to properly benefit from such a huge initiative. Asheville is just way too small and isolated and also the mountain terrain here is a huge drawback for wiring the city. Too bad, but Asheville never really had a chance here.

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4. 

   Sandy March 31, 2011

   I have the 250+ ideas generated at the Town Hall Meeting. Incredible ideas- many that don't require Google Fiber. I was blown away by the Asheville community because of this effort. I continue to have people approach me and ask how we can harness this energy. Our region's greatest, underutilized assets are the people and ideas within the community.

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