What’s the Capital of Kansas? Google

To lure Google’s ultra-high speed broadband trial to Topeka, Kan., Mayor Bill Bunten renames capital city after the search giant for the month of March.

It’s not Topeka, Kan., anymore. For the month of March, under a formal proclamation issued by Mayor Bill Bunten on Monday, March 1, the capital of the Sunflower State will be known as Google, Kan. — "the capital city of fiber optics."

It’s perhaps the most brazen and offbeat publicity stunt among several U.S. cities with big broadband dreams that are vying for a spot in Google’s new "Fiber for Communities" program. Announced in February, the Web search giant plans to pick one or more cities for its pilot project, offering an ultra-high speed network at a "competitive price." The experiment has citizens salivating at the thought of Internet that’s100 times faster than what’s available in average American households. Cities have until March 26 to express their interest in Google’s fiber-optic broadband test, and Bunten believes his proclamation speaks for itself.

By Russell Nichols, Staff Writer

Full Story: http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/747971