Hey all. Matthew Marcus here, one of the guys mentioned in this article.
I'd like the readers of this article to understand that much of it has been presented out of context. The title alone is misleading and a misrepresentation of the current state of affairs in the KCSV. Of course we are aware that Austin is getting Google next, but the village was not founded because of Google Fiber. We certainly appreciate having it as a resource. Definitely. But the village was formed as a way for startups and entrepreneurs to live and work close to one another, supporting each other's ventures and allowing for collaboration and innovation around existing and new ideas. Take Google Fiber away tomorrow, and the village will continue to survive and thrive.
Much like a startup in its own right, the KCSV started and has grown organically. There was no planning to make it happen. It just came together. As can be expected with any startup, both inside and outside factors affect its actions, focus and results. What started as a focus on building a dense startup community morphed over time into the KCSV becoming a representative for the entire KC startup and entrepreneur community. We realized our digression, and this article was written at a time when we were figuring out how to get back to our roots. What does all this mean? It's no big deal. All good in the hood.
If you'd really like to understand what the KCSV is about, I suggest you watch our video. It's a great intro and representation of the positive things happening in the KCSV.
http://kcstartupvillage.org
Finally, we are always looking for more people to get involved. If you're interested in taking part in the actions of the KCSV or the entire KC startup & entrepreneur community, contact us. We love welcoming new co-leaders to help lead the charge.
http://www.kcstartupvillage.org/join/volun…
Thanks for listening.
- Matthew
Hi Amy! It doesn't at all! I thought we had made that clear in our interview with Ben (the author). We still have quite the headstart, Google Fiber will not roll out in Austin or Provo for quite some time.. and the value for startups in Kansas City is much deeper than just Google Fiber. For example, my team and I moved here for the community and energy the scene here offers, Fiber was just icing on the cake.
Mike - what does Google's announcing new cities to do negatively impact KCSV?
Hi Abe! I'm a founder of one of the startup businesses in the community. We need 1Gbps speeds right now for two things: to run our production server inside our office, and to provide a high quality experience for our users on low-end devices! Access to a connection like this makes a huge difference for a startup. In other cities the only way to access a network like this is to go to a university, or pay upwards of $3000/month. And you should always care about community startups! Tech startups are a fundamental part of the new economy. Startups like those in the KCSV create more jobs nationally than large corporations!
Furthermore, why do these small time-y online businesses have this great need for super fast internet. Just seems like a bunch of tech savvy people bitter that they might not get the newest toy.
What exactly do companies like Local Ruckus do, and why should I care? It seems like it's just yet another redundant website full of info that is already widely available. The marketplace is flooded with them. Hell, half of the Pitch is essentially a print version of it.
OK - so I understand some concern that Google is announcing new cities without "finishing" the metro, but what were the expectations? Did these small businesses think Google was going to make them successful? Did the Village team have a good concept that was sustainable? Google originally only announced KCK and KCMO - those areas surrounding would only be gravy in their scope.
That is not true -- this particular piece of property has been abused by all because of the status of the area. It ranges from dumping to squaters to death and abuse. It is such a beautiful piece of property that because of the TIF and its priorities can never be seen. Purpose -- get a life!!
Mr. Mitchell I do not believe you live by this house.
Does it take into account the tides and whether there's a full moon? Nothing like tech geeks trying to solve a problem which is way over their heads.
I live by this house i wondered who broke the window out now i suspect it was who ever wanted this area to appear blighted as stated in this article.
I hope those two lying whores rot in Hell for what they did to the good doctor.
You know, France is like 80% powered by nuclear energy. So.. You greenies.. Nuke plants are probably the way to go. But clean coal (I hear the fools who say there is no clean coal), is the ACTUAL way to go. Cheaper fuel, safer, and less costly to build. But King omnipotent ruler Obama has killed all research into clean coal. Seriously, he has killed it. At present the US is 40% coal powered. So.. all the people that are part of the supply structure both in the coal itself, and in parts for these plants, maintenance, and operation... ALL ARE BEING F-ED OVER ... by the Obama administration. How many people is that? ... When your stated goal is to kill coal which in 2008 was 50% of ALL electricity in the US, ... How many jobs did Obama INTENTIONALLY kill? ... Seriously. Someone do the math on it.
And .. So you know, the Obama administration HAS FUNDED coal electric generation facilities IN OTHER COUNTRIES!!! to the tune of $800 million ... (google: Eskom Kusile, US Export Import Bank)
So.. cheap energy in other countries and expensive "green" energy in the US = manufacturing jobs going to other countries.
Wake up. Obama himself is shipping our jobs overseas in jacked up policy and regulation.
Other topics:
Former EPA Director Lisa Jackson using off-agency email accounts to avoid FOIA requests.
Former Energy Sec. Chu "High gasoline prices are good."
How many near misses before its not a miss.
I think he is on the run and his family is helping him somehow.
Beeeeees! Love him! Great article. Go Sporting!
Ive never seen anyone this hot in Argentine!!
now that she's lost the election she can apply for a pole dancing position....milf's are in high demand at some of the best strip clubs in town
Lee jeans in america suck so bad! why cant they be as cool as australia and europe!? this is awful
Re: “How TIF flushed Swope Ridge to make way for soccer”
Lets see there is a large number of homeless folks living in tunnels YET the city has enough for a soccer field NO ONE NEEDS? Again the city seems to be catering to everyone BUT the poor & homeless. Yet who will these same "Liberal" DINOs ve begging come out & vote for them?? Yep the same folks they don't want to provide Sewers or homes for...