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With Google looking for new testing ground for its ultra high-speed Internet, Bozeman has joined the list of cities around the country opting for the opportunity.

At a press conference Friday, the City of Bozeman, along with the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce and Prospera Business Network announced they have applied to be one of Google's test cities. Now, they say, it's up to the community to go online and work to convince Google why they should come to Bozeman.

Several cities have used various tactics to catch Google's attention, including renaming the city Topeka to Google, Kansas. Bozeman Chamber President Darryl Schliem says that Bozeman is such a great location for Google, that such tactics aren't necessary here.

"I don't think we have to go to that far. What we have to offer, I feel, is a business setting that matches what Google is looking to do with their broadband," Schliem said.

"This community application is a true public-private partnership that shows both how well Bozeman works today and how we're poised to grow in the future. Expanding broadband speed will play to our strengths in education, medicine and quality of life," Bozeman City Commissioner Chris Mehl said in a news release.

The city is rallying community support for Bozeman as a site of the project from private citizens, students, governmental and educational organizations, health services, non-profits, private companies, high-tech and pharmaceutical companies and other interested parties. Click here to support Bozeman as a test city.

The Google Fiber for Communities project is an experimental launch of an ultra-high speed broadband network with the goal to make Internet access better and faster. The networks would offer fiber-to-the-home connections, delivering Internet speeds over one gigabit per second.

Cities have to submit their applications by March 26.

(From March 4, 2010)

Bozeman is throwing its hat in the ring to be a test city for Google's ultra-high speed broadband network.

The city has submitted an application to Google for Google Fiber for Communities project. Google is planning to test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country, according to its Web site.

"Our networks 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. We'll offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people," according to Google.

Cities have to submit their applications by March 26.

The City of Bozeman is asking people to spread the word about the city's bid.

"Rallying community support for Bozeman as the site of this project from private citizens, students, governmental and educational organizations, health services, non-profits, private companies, high-tech and pharmaceutical companies and other interested parties including any internet dependant business or organization is our next endeavor. Please spread the word that Bozeman is competing for this opportunity to expand and intensify the broadband internet capabilities in our area," assistant to the city manager Brit Fontenot said in a news release about the bid.

Click here to find out more about the project.

To nominate Bozeman yourself click here.