Unique Pledge aimed at getting Google’s Attention as submission deadline looms

Orlando – The City of Orlando’s application to Google to be a test site for the company’s experimental ultra high speed internet network just got “super-charged” with a $100,000 commitment from one of Florida’s leading philanthropies.

The Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, Inc. of Winter Park, Florida has committed up to $100,000 to help community nonprofits fully implement the ultra high speed internet network if Google selects Orlando.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is excited about the Foundation’s commitment of leadership, ideas, and resources to the Google application. “We have had an outpouring of community support for this project and this latest pledge by the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation will help Google see that Orlando is a center for entrepreneurship, education, world class attractions, and a place where social innovation flourishes, wrapped in a generous and caring philanthropic sector,” said Mayor Dyer.

Jerry Hilbrich, Chairman of the Foundation, said “100 thousand dollars for 100 times the speed Google can provide on the internet is a great investment in our local nonprofits. Google can help our human services, health, education and arts organizations perform their functions more effectively, more quickly and more cost effectively.”

The Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation is well recognized for creating innovative civic solutions that help people help themselves. “For more than 36 years the Foundation has committed itself to ‘philanthropy beyond checkwriting,’ and it fully intends to do so with this grant,” said David A. Odahowski, President. The Foundation has asked a member of its Board of Directors, Matt Certo, to lead the Foundation’s effort to maximize the Google ultra high speed internet in the work of local nonprofit organizations. Matt is an internet entrepreneur, author and co-founder of Websolvers, Inc., one of the most well established and recognized interactive services firms in the southeastern United States.

The City’s formal application is due back to Google tomorrow, Friday March 26th. The City is reminding residents and businesses that Google wants to hear directly from them. They can let Google know that Orlando should be the company's choice by going to GetGoogling.com.

www.getgoogling.com