I wonder how the city feels about theirs.

“We don’t own our utility poles, so they won’t pick us.”

“We can’t facilitate between utilities, so they won’t pick us.”

“We don’t know the specifics of the plan, so they won’t pick us.”

“We don’t like to pick sides, so we can’t do it. Someone might be unhappy if we do!”

“Why don’t you do it!”

Does the community have a clear economic development plan? I don’t mean goals and ideals. A real plan. With solid, measurable objectives. Short term and long term. Given the City’s report card from last year where economic development was the sole negative of all the City’s measures, I would say “probably not.” Perhaps I am wrong . I hope so. Perhaps we have identified opportunities and this one just didn’t fit into the long term objectives of that plan. If so, please say so.

If that is not the case, I fear that the City is waiting to see what flies by, trying to catch it with chopsticks, and saying “oh well” when the opportunity escapes. That is really no plan at all.

I think the EV project is a fine project, but it is ONE project. How many jobs will it generate? How much additional tax revenue for the state/county/city? We need economic diversity in this community and soon.

I like to say that livability begins with a good job. Corvallis isn’t very good at developing those right now. We need to do better and just take a chance sometimes.

Who said re-naming their city (which is not really anything big as nobody will actually refer it to Google, Kansas unless they’re trying to get the PR) will help their efforts at all? I don’t remember reading anything about it being a “who can do the wildest thing for us?” contest.

Corvallis would be a wonderful place to demo such an infrastructure due to its geographical location in relation to major fiber runs currently in place. As Jason pointed out above, we also host the OSL which could benefit a bit from extra fiber. But, as most of you have pointed out, the city would rather spit out the typical FUD than actually consider what could possibly benefit its citizens.

I support the Corvallis and Benton County efforts to go for it but that is me, my style and my unbridled optimism speaking. I didn’t read the RFI and don’t have the background to know the ins and outs of what the city would have to go through to create a “competitive” response. FUD it may be but in this case I think just the word GOOGLE causes the imagination to run wild. Sometimes it is good to pause and take a breath. I am disappointed but not surprised and after reflection can live with the response or should I say, “lack of it!”

Now what about working toward a great EV Project as Corvallis was designated as one of 11 cities in the USA to participate in the effort to launch the totally electric vehicle fleet! Lets make sure our participation is so outstanding that the world stands up and takes notice as Oregon is one of 5 states participating!

Getting the attention of a big partner may take some extra effort and work. People may have to go out of their way to make it happen. Some folks are up for that condition. Some folks even thrive in it. Some folks don’t.

I see FUD in the City’s memo.

Can we afford as a community to make decisions or commit to inaction because of fear, uncertainty or doubt?

Seems like a pretty regressive stance. Disappointed.

Thanks to the creator of the facebook group and the 336 local individuals in support! Maybe there is still hope to build some steam and show Google there’s a passionate community eager to partner with them.