"It's been tremendously important," he said. "We're just now starting to see its impact on economic development. As businesses have come into the city and considered moving here, they've responded very well to this."

Sorensen, who works at the Nebo School District as a curriculum and assessment specialist, is also a technical trainer and said the broadband system has increased educational opportunities for students.

"It's done tremendous things for our schools," he said. "All elementary schools in Spanish Fork have a T1 connection, which is something no other school in the district has."

Spanish Fork is one of five U.S. cities that made the list, joining behemoths Philadelphia and Cleveland and small cities Adel, Ga., and Monmouth, Ill.

Tinajin, China, is the largest city on the list (9.8 million), while Spanish Fork is 18th (25,000). Dubai City, United Arab Emirates, is the smallest (5,500).

While he said it's nice to share the international spotlight, Bowcut said he prefers the glow from local street lights. When someone approaches him on the street and thanks him or when he hears about a family or business that moved to Spanish Fork in part because of the broadband system, the lights get a little brighter.

"The most gratifying (feeling) is the recognition we get from our own community because that's who we did it for," he said. "This (the ICF listing) is just icing on the cake."

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E-mail: jtwitchell@desnews.com