Two Google fiber applications: What does that tell us about Washtenaw County?
Welcome to Washtenaw County, home of two separate efforts to win Google’s fiber optic investment.
By “efforts,” I mean competition. This is, after all, a contest across the U.S. to get communities behind applications to win the nod - and the investment, notoriety and ultra high speed internet functions - from Google.
Midsize communities around the U.S. are now actively trying to prove they’re worthy. One recent example: Kalamazoogle. As the March 26 deadline approaches, expect more hype.
After that deadline, though, I suspect many in Washtenaw County will look back on the application process and realize it was a defining event in this region.
Win or lose.
That’s because Ann Arbor is actively pursuing an application. Then Saline and Pittsfield Township united this week to do the same thing. Now their drive to promote “Googleville” pits them against Ann Arbor’s A2Fiber effort.
And the drive illuminates how the region is evolving.
Some telling elements:
• Ann Arbor started its application process on its own. And it has stayed alone the pursuit, saying it was too late in the game to bring other communities on board.
• Ypsilanti is supporting Ann Arbor, thanks to a City Council resolution and individuals who are helping build the mandatory community-wide enthusiasm for the project. Signs of community unity continue between these two cities (think chamber of commerce merger), which spent decades effectively ignoring each other or chafing when one community took the spotlight over the other.
• Pittsfield Township is building its own identity under its own name. Ask someone in Lake Forest or Ashford Village where they live, and you’re increasingly likely to hear “Pittsfield Township” instead of the city in the mailing address (there are four in the township). Township officials are building their own business-friendly brand. One holdout is major retailers - and there are many in the township - still use the mailing address to identify their stores.
• Saline Area Schools is the second-largest district in the county, behind Ann Arbor. And it’s using that status to help define its own district - but also sees the potential from collaborating with Saline and Pittsfield Township to build identity. Ann Arbor aligned with the University of Michigan (no surprise given U-M’s connections to Google co-founder Larry Page). Schools as a political force can extend beyond the classroom and contract talks. And as district sizes change (Dexter is likely to overtake Ypsilanti soon), regional dynamics may change, too.
• All of Washtenaw County isn’t “on the bus” named Ann Arbor. When we say Ann Arbor, we’re often talking about a regional brand. There’s a reason for it: It’s identifiable across the U.S. and is the largest city in the county. But when the city says all of its seats are full, this move showed other communities don’t feel the need to give up the ride.
The leaders in both efforts downplay the competitive aspects of Pittsfield Township and Saline joining the contest on their own. There’s nothing to gain by doing that at this stage.
Quotes from Wednesday’s story show both sides are being careful about how they’re presenting their respective positions.
"I don't think we're in competition with one another," said Mandy Grewal, Pittsfield Township supervisor.
And here’s the Ann Arbor “Google czar’s” take on it: "I don’t see it as negative or positive," said Tom Crawford, chief financial officer for the city of Ann Arbor. "Ypsilanti voted to support Ann Arbor. My understanding is they believe that something good in this region is good for all of us. I think Pittsfield and Saline believe the same thing. It’s just a different way of saying the same thing."
It’s also a way of saying communities outside of the city of Ann Arbor want to bring their own voices to community initiatives that go beyond the city’s boundaries.
After March 26 passes and Google later announces a decision on its chosen communities, I hope Ann Arbor - the community brand and the city - find a way to accomplish that.
Paula Gardner is Business News Director of AnnArbor.com. Contact her at 734-623-2586 or by email.
Comments
MAP
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 : 12:27 p.m.
George W. Bush thanks Ralph Nader for trashing Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign. Grand Rapids thanks Saline and Pittsfield for trashing a2Fiber. Ypsilanti got behind Ann Arbor, the regional brand that just happens to be its neighbor's name. Mandy Grewal and Gretchen Driskell aren't team-players. Like Texas, they'd rather secede or obstruct than work together. Their go-it-alone stance makes no sense, as their combined communities are still too small to qualify for Google's project. So Saline and Pittsfield adopt a gardener's-dog stance: we can't eat, so we won't let you eat, either. Hillary Clinton had the good sense to get behind Obama's presidential campaign, rather than play Ralph Nader v2.0. I hope Driskell and Grewal figure this out soon: divided, we fail. Join a2Fiber, before it's too late. You can bet Larry Page is watching.
Chase Ingersoll
Sat, Mar 20, 2010 : 7:11 a.m.
I can't see any presentation in this contest containing information that Google does not already have, and has not already analyzed. Having a CONTEST between all of these cities, is simply a shrewd marketing tactic and way to have subsidies offered to you, rather than your having to ask for them. I think it is ingenious on Google's part because this contest has been going on for how long now....and I have yet to see anyone else raise this perspective. All we have seen is bureaucrats and "community organizers" slobbering over themselves, trying to impress the "neo-capitalist" Google. Not that there is anything wrong with....."neo-capitalism" or "infotalism". Someone from AnnArbor.com (Ed?) might pose my position to someone from Google that is here in Ann Arbor. I bet all you will get is a smile.
djm12652
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 1:43 p.m.
If A2 is awarded this, what will the end user costs be?
Bill
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 12:31 p.m.
Unfortunately we have too many small communnities, and that includes Ann Arbor, that are unable to think beyond their borders about a united effort that would better the entire area. With the financial hardships faced by all our local communities, it is time for them to all setup and look at significant consolidation or resources from administration, purchasing, fire, schools, etc. We need to cut duplication of services rather than cutting essential services.
PittsfieldTwp
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 8:30 a.m.
"Ypsilanti is supporting Ann Arbor, thanks to a City Council resolution and individuals who are helping build the mandatory community-wide enthusiasm for the project." What exactly does that mean? If AA wins, Ypsi still gets nothing, correct? David K - Your "vaulted ceiling" picture of Pittsfield is partialy correct. However, many significant businesses that AA likes to call its own or likes to promote as part of its own brand are actually located in Pittsfield Twp. All the comerce and industry along State St south of I-94 is Pittsfield. Much more than subs and strip malls. Regarding downtown Saline - The next time your are down there, take a few laps around the downtown area and you will notice many people live in downtown and not just a few.
David K
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 8 a.m.
Tom Crawford's comment is right on the money! My two cents is that Saline and Pittsfield lack the diversity of income, population density, and hip factor that the Google brain trust will seek. Pittsfield is largely a suburban lifestyle where almost everyone has a vaulted ceiling in their great room and an island in their kitchen. The "downtown" is a big box retail center. While Saline actually has a downtown, very few people live there, and so much of the surrounding area is agricultural. Also, it receives few visitors outside the immediate market area. Ann Arbor seems like the diverse high profile community that would be ideal, but it may be too big in its entirety for a pilot program. Density, manageability, and cost of infrastructure deployment will be key. Perhaps if the project could get City Hall to move at the speed of fiber on all economic development projects, be they large or small, by Google or by a no name local, that would be the best benefit to the community. We could also dangle a renegotiation of the liquidated damages of the MEGA tax incentives and parking deal that attracted Google to opening its downtown Ann Arbor office. WOOHOO!!!
a2huron
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 7:53 a.m.
Great article Paula. As a city resident, I frankly think it is a wonderful idea that Pittsfield and Saline wanted to submit their own application. If they offered to help Ann Arbor and were told to bug off, then why shouldn't they make their own run for it? They are merely representing their own residents and constituents. Its their job. By applying, they are officially on the radar. By not applying, then they are just some other municipality dreaming of bigger things. Talk is cheap. Action isn't. I also think their separate application can help to improve Ann Arbor's odds. Google will appreciate knowing that this whole region is motivated and if the project is given to the city, then Google is also going to allow Pittsfield and Saline to tie into it as well with a piece of the action. If Pittsfield and Saline succeed in getting some access to the Google network, even a small piece of the pie, then how many other non-Ann Arbor governments are going to be left kicking themselves for not trying?
Bonsai
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 7:34 a.m.
Nice analysis Paula.
tmo
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 6:59 a.m.
If I recall the story correctly, AA decided to go it alone, so what else could other communities do? AA's air of superiority and its feeling that it has a right to exclusivity without competition seems to be the underlying theme AA.com is lining up with in this article and its coverage of the matter since this decision. Just look at the poll question structure 'Should Google receive two separate applications from Washtenaw County?' It isn't up to Google, or is AA.com thinking one isn't even worthy and should be rejected out of hand? Are they worried that because of AA's foolish decision not to be inclusive, that the fractured nature of efforts in the County will hurt AA's chance? I'm reminded of the Aesop fable of the Dog and Bone.
a2doc
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 6:36 a.m.
The relationship between Ann Arbor City and The Townships is weird. A relationship where the City Council is actively considering expanding a city run (and taxpayer subsidized) airport within another township, against all opposition from the local population and its council is odd. Think of it like Pittsfield running a garbage disposal operation on State street, and trying to expand it next door to the State Theater. The thing the townships have is quality of life - they don't have The University, Theaters, Venues, Nightlife etc. Quality of life and safety for the communities around the airport are threatened by the proposed airport expansion. Why? - so a few out of towners can fly in for a football game a couple of times a year, to then fly back home in their larger (fully fuel laden) jets. At least they might pay for a nice big meal at the Chop House