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Governor Pawlenty to issue proclamation for Google Twin Ports

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will issue a proclamation Friday, officially declaring March 26, 2010 Google Twin Ports Day. The date marks the deadline for cities across the United States to apply for Google’s ultra-high speed fiber contest. Google intends to choose one or more locations in the country to build the first ultra-high speed fiber networks, at a cost to Google up to $100 million. The move would allow for Internet speeds between 500 and 1,000 times what is currently available to every home and business in the communities chosen.

The proclamation highlights Gov. Pawlenty’s support for Duluth’s bid to have Google use the city as one of its high-speed fiber testing sites. The move by Gov. Pawlenty highlights an extraordinary opportunity for economic enhancement for Duluth.

“We greatly appreciate Governor Pawlenty’s support of Duluth's nomination. We have seen outstanding support from business leaders and elected officials from across the political spectrum - Governor Pawlenty, Senator Franken, and Senator Klobuchar have all been supportive of Duluth's nomination. The partnership with the Governor's office strengthens our effort to very quickly and effectively implement this network, if we’re chosen by Google,” said Duluth Mayor Don Ness.

To discuss the proclamation and Duluth’s efforts, the Governor will have Duluth Mayor Don Ness on his radio show which airs from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday to discuss the project. You can listen to it on WCCO 830, or at http://www.wccoradio.com/pages/318669.php.

The proclamation follows the extremely successful grass roots campaign waged by volunteers in Duluth and Superior to get national attention for the effort. The Duluth and Superior area has been mentioned in more than 1,200 articles and television shows since the contest began in late February, far outpacing most other cities around the country who are also applying. This was most recently evident Monday, in the front page New York Times photo of Duluth’s Mayor Don Ness.

The speeds this new system can bring would make Duluth a magnet for companies across the country that want affordable access to this new kind of Internet speed to simply improve their current business, or create new Internet technologies that require speeds currently not available.  This project will, for the first time, make it affordable for homeowners to enjoy Internet speeds up to 1,000 times what they currently have. The support of Gov. Pawlenty also highlights Duluth as having the kinds of businesses and workforce ready to take advantage of such a test system.  Minnesota also is on the forefront of innovation, such as its goal of implementing universal broadband access by 2015, and its Renewable Energy 25 x ’25 program. The state of Minnesota will be partnering with Google and the City of Duluth in maximizing Google’s investment in the nation’s broadband infrastructure.

The proclamation will be available Friday on the Google Twin Ports webpage: www.googletwinports.com

 Pakou Ly, Public Information Coordinator for the City of Duluth at (218) 730-5309, or

Patrick Garmoe, Public Information Officer, Duluth/Superior Google Fiber Initiative at (218) 461-9655  

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