Today it was confirmed that Google had named Salt Lake City the next recipient of Google Fiber, which allows for close to instantaneous internet speeds. In a statement, Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker shared, "We could not be more excited to have Google Fiber coming to Salt Lake City. This leap in speeds will open up an entirely new universe of exciting possibilities for Salt Lake city residents."

To give a sense of the increased speed Google will provide, ponder the following: Salt Lake currently experiences an Internet access speed of around 59.6 megabits per second; Google Fiber will provide about 1,000 megabits per second. Faster internet downloading capability will have a profoundly positive effect on student learning, medical labs, technology development….and Netflix consumption. As an example, the Salt Lake Tribune shared “the story of a Provo geneticist who is able to download information for an entire human genetic sequence in 30 minutes at gigabit speed, as opposed to 77 hours with his prior connection.”

This coup is the latest development in what amounts to an unprecedented period of business growth in northern Utah. Having garnered accolades from being named the “Best State for Business” by Forbes Magazine, and the “Best City to Start a Career”, Salt Lake is only trending up. Google Fiber will be a tremendous resource to Salt Lake’s business growth.