A group of Warner Robins techies are spearheading an effort to bring an internet superhighway to Houston County.
They want to win over Google to attract the latest and greatest information technology.
Nathan Waters, a member of the Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association and communications specialist at Robins Air Force base, says a Google fiber line could drastically improve Houston County's internet experience and become a boon the local economy.
Waters said, "This is right up our alley. Something we really want to do."
Nathan Waters and his buddies from AFCEA are training hours a day to tackle Google's latest and most lucrative challenge. He said, "It's going to bring jobs, bring investment into the local community, bring technology that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world."
He is talking about a cutting edge, Google fiber line. The company recently put out a call asking communities across the country to apply to for their experimental technology.
Waters says if Houston County wins, the fiber would virtually eliminate wait times when you're surfing for a website or your favorite video. But its benefits, reach far beyond your desktop.
Houston County Development Authority executive director Morgan Law predicts big business potential. He said, "It's an internet speed so fast, most of us can't comprehend it."
Law says telecom companies, call and data processing centers can see the potential and would likely see it as reason to locate in the area.
Waters says other benefits include advanced technologies for schools, medical facilities and Robins Air Force Base. Plus, constructing the fiber line will create jobs.
Waters said, "It's not just the techie guys. The entire community has to get involved." They created a web-site to inform people about their efforts.
Waters says they need people outside their group to prove the region's excitement to Google, by answering a few questions on-line.
They say if the community can handle that, they'll process all the steps to making Houston County a new frontier in the digital domain.
The City of Macon is also making a bid for the Google fiber line. Waters says they have reached out to Macon to make it a regional effort, but so far have not gotten a response.
The contest ends March 26th, when Google says they will choose one of a few communities nationwide for their project.