Google War: Winston-Salem to Compete for High-Speed Network

The Twin City hopes its reputation as one of the most wired cities in the country will help attract search giant Google, which plans to install an ultra-high-speed fiber optic Internet network in several cities.

Mayor Allen Joines made the city's bid official Monday morning, which means Winston-Salem will compete with Greensboro for the network. Greensboro launched its effort about a month ago.

Joines announced a new Web site, www.winstongooglesalem.com, from which residents can nominate Winston-Salem and join the city's Facebook group.

Joines also said Winston-Salem is dedicating an entire day to the effort: "We're asking citizens to do fun things: decorate their yard, decorate their car, the front of their business."

The mayor said his city is a natural choice for Google.

"We've been named one of the most digital cities and one of the most wired cities in the country, so it fits in that logical progression," he said.

Neither Joines nor Greensboro Mayor Bill Knight said they had plans to work together to attract Google.

The deadline to apply to Google is March 26.