City of Santa Clarita officials and business leaders are salivating at the chance to become Google's latest guinea pig.

The Internet giant began a nationwide search earlier this month for cities interested in becoming test sites for new ultra-fast, fiber-optic Internet technology called Google Fiber.

If Santa Clarita is chosen, the company would spend millions of dollars to install a network of fiber-optic cables throughout the city, which would make available Internet connections 100 times faster than DSL and cable.

However, Santa Clarita is going to get stiff competition as it fights for Google's attention.

There are already nearly 200 Facebook pages - for cities from Alaska to New York - trying to galvanize community support.

Santa Clarita plans to set up Twitter and Facebook pages of its own in a few weeks, said Kevin Tanoian, the city's technology services manager.

Google's new broadband networks can carry 1 gigabit of data per second, a massive advancement, Tanoian said.

"In simple terms, the difference in speed between Internet service currently available to residents and businesses in Santa Clarita and Google's 1-gigabit connection is the difference between traveling 1 mph and 1,000 mph," he said.

Google has not released pricing or plans for businesses or residents, but said it would be "competitive."

The city has formed a committee to figure out the best way to catch Google's eye, and has been in contact with other organizations interested in bringing Google to the SCV, Tanoian said.

And the advantages of such fast Internet speeds are not lost on local business leaders.

Last year the Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce started looking at ways to increase high-speed Internet access for local business, said Chamber President John Shaffery.

A cutting-edge Google network would be a huge boon for the city, he said.

"Anytime you're talking about increased broadband, you're talking about opportunity," Shaffery said.

"We clearly recognize this as a need and we are looking at any means available to bring this in."

Google's Internet networks could be especially beneficial to all the film studios in Santa Clarita, said Jason Crawford, the city's economic development director.

Film studios, for instance, could use the increased speed to stream high-definition video for post-production film editing, he said.

"Since the film industry is so important to Santa Clarita, the more we can do to attract businesses like that, the better," Crawford said.

Cities have until March 26 to submit their applications. Google will announce which cities are chosen for Google Fiber sometime this year.