UPDATE: City of Superior re-joins Google Fiber effort

SUPERIOR -  It looks as though city leaders will put their name forward on the Google Fiber application after all.

Monday, Mayor Dave Ross told FOX 21 the city had backed out of official partnership with Duluth.

But, a meeting Tuesday changed all that.

One day after saying they wouldn't apply for the Google Fiber high speed internet project, Superior's back on board.  Although Mayor Dave Ross says they were never really off.

"We've been involved in this process.  It was just defining what our role would be and what we would do in this effort."

That role was muddled, however, by an apparent lack of communication.

"We kind of jumped to a news conference and pretty soon we were involved in an application process that we weren't sure was going to be appropriate for the City of Superior."

Because Ross didn't think Superior qualified... And thought their involvement may hurt Duluth's chances.

But, during a meeting Tuesday, Google Twin Ports project manager, Chris Swanson told Ross that was far from truth.

"We value the input that many people from Superior have given us as well as the work effort they've put forward."

So, Superior's back in an official capacity... Especially after guarantees Ross says he has from Duluth Mayor Don Ness to help them in the process.

"Not even just tech help and application... But, that they would help us promote this effort in the City of Superior."

Although Duluth and Superior will be filling out two separate applications, when Google looks at the paperwork they will see this is clearly a single submission.

Says Swanson, "In the application, we'll actually refer to the other application and say, "We support this other city's application," because we're so close in proximity to each other."

Applications for the experimental high–speed internet connection are due by March 26th.

If selected, the project could be a huge boost to the Twin Ports economy and job markets.