Ann Arbor resident Tony Zink makes a YouTube video about why Google should bring its ultra high-speed Internet network to Ann Arbor Wednesday at the LA2M luncheon at Weber's Inn.

Erica Hobbs | AnnArbor.com

Google announced a proposal in February to bring high-speed Internet to a select number of cities throughout the United States. The experiment would create a fiber optic network capable of processing one gigabit of data per second. That would provide Internet service that is about 100 times faster than most Americans have today. The catch? Cities must compete against each other to convince Google why it should bring the new technology to them.

“Google wants to see what kind of enthusiasm, excitement and creativity there is in the community, and that’s part of their selection criteria,” Tom Crawford, Ann Arbor's chief financial officer said.

Since the announcement, the city of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan have teamed up to convince the public to show their support for the project - and the public has responded.

“We grew from 2,500 to 7,500 Facebook fans in one day,” said Susanna Thomashefski, the marketing, public relations and event coordinator for Ann Arbor SPARK.

The economic development business is one of about a dozen community supporters to join the city and U-M in A2 Fiber, a collaboration dedicated to bringing Google’s network to Ann Arbor.

Through its Web site and Facebook and Twitter pages, the organization has been encouraging the public to express its support, and the public is responding.

“We like to think of ourselves as being progressive,” Facebook fan Marla Neusel Lopez said. “The cumulative numbers of brilliant people in this city deserve A2 Fiber.”

U-M student Jake Holmes, another Facebook fan, said Google’s initiative would bring more competition to the local marketplace.

“There's really not much choice other than Comcast for high-speed access,” he said.

One of A2 Fiber’s biggest pushes is getting community members to submit formal requests to Google nominating Ann Arbor as a test site.

“Filling out that form is really critical,” Thomashefski said.

At the LA2M luncheon Wednesday, A2 Fiber officially announced its YouTube video contest, in which participants can submit a 30-90 second video on why Google should bring choose Ann Arbor.

A2 Fiber video

Organizer Derek Mehraban, the chief executive officer of Ingenex Digital Marketing, said the contest is a way for his company to contribute to the cause.

“Having faster Internet speeds would make work easier and allow us to develop better things,” he said. “We’re really really, excited about the opportunity.”

Participants have until March 26 to submit their videos - the deadline for Google’s request for information. The videos will then be sent to Google to further demonstrate the city’s support.

Mehraban and Crawford spoke to a crowd of about 15 people at the luncheon Wednesday and encouraged them to speak about what the project would mean for them.

Tony Zink, a consultant with MS Project Experts, said he chose to live in Ann Arbor even though his company is based in New York. He said high-speed Internet would make it possible for more people to do the same.

Jim Campbell, president of ExcitingProductions.com, said the network would help local businesses communicate more effectively.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for local businesses to grow and tell their stories to potential customers,” he said. “You can do all kinds of things.”

Outside of A2 Fiber, other community members have formed their own organizations to woo Google’s fiber optic network.

One Gigabit Future, formed mainly by U-M students, is making its own push to lure Google to Ann Arbor.

Brandon Wallace, one of the movement’s organizers, said the group spent last weekend plastering south campus with posters to push their campaign. Friday, One Gigabit Future will host a futuristic party at Good Time Charley’s to gather even more support for the cause.

“If we want to bring Google's fiber network to our beloved Ann Arbor, we have to show Google we mean business,” the organization said on its Facebook page. “More business than the other cities vying for the same honor.”

Wallace said group members will be on hand with laptops encouraging people to join the A2 Fiber Facebook group and submit a formal nomination to Google.

While support seems strong, Ann Arbor is only one of the many cities nationwide competing for Google’s attention. Among the competitors are the neighboring communities of Saline and Pittsfield Township.

Crawford said he is optimistic about the community’s efforts but not complacent.

“I think when Google evaluates this application they’re going to see a community that’s excited about it,” he said. “I’m happy, but I’d always like more.”

Erica Hobbs is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734 623-2537 or via e-mail at ericahobbs@annarbor.com.