A message from Google:

Hello from Google,

Earlier this year your community expressed interest in our experimental ultra high-speed broadband network, and I wanted to send you a quick update on where that project stands.

First, I’m excited to announce that this week I joined Google as Vice President of Access Services, where I’ll be overseeing the Google Fiber team. So far I’ve been getting up to speed on the progress our team has made over the past several months - from experimenting with new fiber deployment technologies here on Google’s campus, to announcing a “beta” network to 850 homes at Stanford - and I’m excited for us to take the next step of bringing our ultra high-speed network to a community.

Second, this morning we plan to announce that Google will be delaying the announcement of our selected community or communities. We had planned to announce by the end of this year, but the level of interest was incredible - nearly 1,100 communities across the country responded to our announcement - and exceeded our expectations.

We’re sorry for this delay, but we want to make sure we get this right. To be clear, we’re not re-opening our selection process, but simply need more time to decide than we had anticipated. Stay tuned for an announcement in early 2011.

Thank you again for your enthusiasm and interest in our project.

Milo Medin
Vice President, Access Services
Google

To Google:

Our excitement and commitment were immediate when we first learned of the Google Fiber Town initiative and the prospect of becoming a ground breaking partner and test community. We knew our first task was to brand and launch a massive education effort with our unique Google/Sugar Land logo Fiber Town and tag—Think Gig! We created a dedicated web page with related information and links along with a Facebook page and survey to raise awareness and encourage and measure feedback.

Every one of us uses Google in multiple ways each day, so it was an easy leap of faith to envision the potential and partnership we could achieve. Google tools were a critical component in our planning and execution from the logo to YouTube, Google maps and Google Analytics.

As you will find in our application and from the following tabs in our dedicated Think Gig web page, we launched numerous efforts including:

• Branded Sugar Land Google Logo and Slogan – Think GIG Sugar Land!
• News Releases and diverse media contacts to reach our multi-cultural community
  (Numerous articles and photos were published throughout our 16 day campaign)
• Twitter
• Posters/Flyers/Stickers
• 600+ personal letters/emails sent from Mayor
• Prominent City Web Site presence
• Survey compiled in Google documents
• Google Analytics
• Facebook Fan Page with nearly 3000 fans in just 2 weeks.
• Google Maps
• Mayor Op-eds in 3 local community papers
• Volunteer testimonials/advocates from across the community
• Volunteer speaker presentations to diverse community groups
• Employee advocates spoke to numerous community groups
• SL Muni-TV promos & numerous testimonial videos including an adopt-a-pet
• Citywide Rally in Town Square attended by several hundred fans despite spring break and other competing regional events
• City Council Resolution officially endorsing the City’s participation and encouragement of community support for the Google Initiative
• Mayor’s Proclamation at City rally declaring March 19 – March 26 Sugar Land’s Think GIG Google Week

We believe Sugar Land is uniquely qualified for this pilot with a history of successful and strong public/private partnerships. The collaborative nature of the local government and its regulatory environment has attracted regional and international corporate relocations with a diverse range of businesses, from small to corporate businesses and many high-tech related jobs. Sugar Land’s high standards and quality of life attracts people to live here from all over the world; the city is also home to many CEO’s of many Sugar Land and Houston-based national and international companies. Sugar Land’s Regional Airport is ranked the #1 FBO in all the Americas servicing clients from around the world. The city is the third-largest in population and second-largest in economic activities of the Houston area. It is one of the fastest growing communities in Texas in a county that is ranked as one of the 10 strongest metropolitan economies in the nation. This is a young community with well planned and laid out utility easements/routes. City leaders strive to incorporate not only economic, but also social and environmental responsibility into all strategic planning.

We are fortunate to have an interested and highly engaged community that is frequently recognized for its leadership and quality of life. A diverse community, Sugar Land has been designated as a Community of Respect by the Anti-Defamation League. It has a very diverse and vibrant pro-business community and has increased the primary sector jobs more than 95% over the last ten years. Sugar Land is a highly educated community with strong public and private schools and the University of Houston and Wharton County Junior College presence.

We believe in strong partnerships. Undoubtedly, Google will be an excellent partner but we also know Google will find no better partnership than with us. Continually ranked as one of America’s Best—Sugar Land would like to say . . . “Google, pick Sugar Land. There is NO EQUAL!”

Think Big with a Gig!

In case you hadn't heard... Google has announced plans to build the infrastructure for a pilot project that will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today -- over 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections.

So what does this mean?

Imagine downloading a high-definition, full-length feature film in less than five minutes.

Google is asking communities to apply for the chance to be the test bed for the next generation of the Internet. And the best part is that Google is paying the tab, but they need to know that Sugar Land wants to “Think Big ….”

Sugar Land wants to be ground zero for the next evolution of the web and we need your help to let Google know that WE ARE IN!

What Can You Do to Help?

There are several things that you can do to help us show Google that Sugar Land should be their choice.

• Take the Think Gig Survey
  Take a short survey to tell us what you think about the initiative and why Google should choose Sugar Land.
• Become a Think Gig Fan
  Become a Fan of the initiative on Facebook and post your questions, comments and Think Gig Videos there. Also encourage your friends and family to become fans and to submit their comments. We need to get as much support as possible to let Google know we are excited and eager to partner with them on this project.
• Follow Us on Twitter @SugarLandtxgov | @ThinkGigSL
  Get the latest updates and help spread the word by following us on twitter and re-tweeting.
• Think Gig Poster
  Download and hang the poster in support of the project.
• Think Gig Promotional Video
  Watch and share our promotional video with others. Then post your video responses to our Facebook Fan Page!
• Watch more Think GIG Videos on Facebook
• Watch more Think GIG Videos on YouTube
• thinkgig@sugarlandtx.gov
  Send us your comments and feedback via email.
• Read Letters of Support from the community
• View the Think Gig Survey Results that were collected from the Sugar Land community

Print

Guest Column: Think Gig!
By: James Thompson, Sugar Land Mayor on Wed, March 10, 2010
Fort Bend Independent
Think Gig! (PDF) | Think Gig! (Article online)

It's Time for Sugar Land to think Gig
By: James Thompson, Sugar Land Mayor on Thurs, March 11, 2010
Sugar Land Sun
View Article (PDF)

Online

Sugar Land Wants To Be Site of Next Generation Internet Project
By: FortBendNow Staff on Wed, March 3, 2010
FortBendNow.com
View Article

Sugar Land wants to be Google test site
By: Iris Kuo on Wed, March 3, 2010
UltimateFortBend.com
View Article

Sugar Land vs. Google, Kansas: A race for speed
By: Caroline Gallay on Wed, March 3, 2010
culturemap.com
View Article

Sugar Land wants Google Fiber for Communities
By: Charles Kuffner on Sat, March 6th, 2010
offthekuff.com
View Article

Sugar Land to host open casting call for Think Gig commercial
From staff reports Updated: 03.12.10
Fort Bend Sun
View Article

Casting Call Open To All For ‘Think GIG’ Sugar Land Commercial
By: Jamie Mock on Mon, March 15, 2010
FortBendNow.com
View Article

Sugar Land wants to be site of Next Generation Internet Project
By: Cheryl Skinner
FortBendStar.com
View Article

Internet proving ground: SL wants to convince Google
By: Don Munsch on Thurs, March 18, 2010
FortBendHerald.com
View Article

Sugar Land Wants Google's High Speed Internet
By: Doug Delony on Fri, March 19, 2010
MyFox Houston
View Article

Not So Hip to be at the Square
Fewer than 200 people show for Sugar Land's "think big" Google rally
By: Heather Staible on Sat, March 20th, 2010 at 1:05 AM
CultureMap.com
View Article

Television News Stories

11 News at 5 Wed, March 3, 2010, 5:25 PM
It investigates how this could have happened tonight at 5:30. >>> Sugar land wants to get into the fast lane. We're talking about the really fast lane. Google is experiencing with super high-speed net connections. The company wants to test ultrahigh-speed internet locations. This could give users speeds more than 100 times faster than most have right now.
Channel: 11 (KHOU)

39 News at 6 Thurs, March 11, 2010 6:14 PM
Google searching for Sugar Land? City wants to be test location for faster internet
Channel 39 (KIAH)
View Video Online