After Google's announcement, local technology and business development experts and others contacted the City, encouraging local leaders to promote Bellingham for this opportunity. Before pursuing it further, Mayor Pike asked more community members to weigh in. He hosted a meeting with representatives from local technology, business development, education and other organizations, most of whom encouraged him to submit a response to Google's request.
In addition, a survey posted on the City’s website solicited opinions about pursuing the Google project and ideas for how ultra-high speed internet service might be used in our community. In six days, 643 survey responses were recorded, with 95% of respondents answering "yes" to the question "Should the City of Bellingham submit a proposal for Google's Fiber For Communities Project?" People who expressed support for the project listed myriad reasons Bellingham would benefit, including:
"People submitted dozens and dozens of professional and personal benefits they could realize and ideas they could pursue if they had access to higher internet speeds, along with many community benefits if this infrastructure were in place," Pike said.
