ELYRIA — Google wants to launch a pilot program to bring ultra-high-speed broadband networks to cities on a trial basis.

Mayor Bill Grace would like Elyria to be one of those cities.

“That’s where the world economy is heading, and anything we can do to advance that infrastructure and possibly lead the curve is where we need to be focusing our attention,” he said. “Since the Elyria Plan 2015, we have talked about finding ways to not only increase the information technology capacity in local government but also for the community.”

Grace said he cannot even watch Google’s online promotional video in his office because the city’s information technology network can best be described as subpar.

“I’ll watch it at home,” he said.

Since Google announced its big plan on its blog Wednesday afternoon to bring super-fast fiber-optic systems to between 50,000 and 500,000 residents across the country, Grace said e-mails have been flying around the city.

“This is right down the path of what we have been talking about,” he said. “Right now, we are determining how we can position ourselves to be chosen for this pilot program. This is the type of thing businesses look for communities to have in their infrastructure.”

It is no secret Grace wants to advance Elyria’s use of technology. He wants the city’s Web site to promote Elyria as a top city, and he wants to use online and electronic media to communicate with residents.

He also wanted to create the city’s first information technology department, a project that was put on hold due to strained city finances.

So far, Google is being very vague about what the fiber-optic pilot program will entail, but at least this much is known: It will provide Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today, according to the company’s promotion.

“Network providers are making real progress to expand and improve high-speed Internet access, but there’s still more to be done,” the company said in the blog. “We don’t think we have all the answers — but through our trial, we hope to make a meaningful contribution to the shared goal of delivering faster and better Internet for everyone.”

Elyria may have at least one thing working in its favor. Most of the national fiber-optic lines already run through the city near the railroad lines, Grace said.

Still, Elyria will have to wait and see if it is one of the cities chosen. Google has given cities until March 26 to provide information about their communities that will be used to determine where Google should build its network.

Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.

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