KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -
The Google Fiber deadline has come and gone, but for those neighborhoods that didn't meet the deadline, there is still some hope.
More than 180 out of the 202 eligible neighborhoods in Kansas City, KS, and Kansas City, MO, signed up enough people for the high-speed internet.
Google says it will give those 20 remaining neighborhoods a second chance to qualify.
Representatives will be going door to door to see if people want to sign up. Neighborhoods will have until next year.
Google's Carlos Casas said company officials are extremely happy with the response.
"We are surprised by how the community responded to this challenge," he said. "They rallied around each other."
Company officials will announce Thursday in which order each neighborhood will get the service.
Casas said neighborhoods in west KCK and east of Troost Avenue in KCMO need more time and perhaps more education about the benefits of Google Fiber.
"Google's goal is to make the internet accessible and useful for everyone," Casas said. "So when we're dealing with slower speeds or no access at all, it gets in the way of that mission."
Kansas City leaders also detailed on Monday how businesses will be using the Google Fiber service. The hope is to develop local businesses and create jobs.
Rare Wire helps simplify how smartphone apps are build. Tax credits are helping lure businesses like Rare Wire to the Kansas City area.
Launch KC, which is a program by city leaders, helps companies find affordable office space, access to data centers and a new research and development lab to test ideas.
"We want to engage successful businesses," Mayor Sly James said, adding this includes mentoring and assisting entrepreneurs in their launch and fostering their success.
"We are eager to show the world that Kansas City, MO, is not only getting wired for one gigabit fiber, but also is flourishing as a hub of technology and creativity," James said.
Copyright 2012 KCTV (Meredith Corp.) All rights reserved.
