November 13, 2018
Partner municipalities of Nelson, Castlegar, Rossland and Trail to receive a $40,000 grant to implement a Smart Kootenays Digital Mobility Platform
Nelson, BC – The communities of Nelson, Castlegar, Rossland and Trail, in partnership Communities Futures, Selkirk College and local technology entrepreneurs worked collaboratively to apply for the BC Smart Communities Pilot funding to develop and test a mobility platform that will provide area residents with information about road safety, closures, wait times and natural disasters. The platform will help people make smart transportation decisions, resulting in safe and efficient travel that decreases accidents and reduces pollutants.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of this joint effort of our regional local governments, economic development sector and technology entrepreneurs.” says Mayor John Dooley. He adds, “Not only did they recognize the need for smart technology in our smaller communities, but they worked together to find a solution and a means by which to fund and implement this new mobility platform.”
The grant application was open to communities with populations under 30,000 across the province of British Columbia who met certain criteria under the umbrellas of economic diversity and growth, energy efficiency and climate change mitigation, engaged citizens, efficient transportation and mobility, and community resiliency and safety.
“The project builds on the momentum and excitement generated from the Government of Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge. Through extensive consultation processes the theme of transportation was prioritized with a focus on what data and connected technologies could do to improve road safety, efficiency and access,” says Dr. Terri MacDonald, Director of Applied Research and Innovation at Selkirk College. “I’m especially excited to see our students and faculty, community leaders, economic development practitioners and technology companies working together to improve the lives of residents through technology, applied research and innovation.”
“We are very excited to be part of this partnership and see incredible value in a regional approach to creating "smart" strategies to strengthen our economy now and in the years to come,” remarks Terry Van Horn, Executive Director for the Trail and area Economic Development Office, Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation.
BC Government Media Release and Backgrounder
Smart Kootenays Website
Media Contact: Andrea Wilkey, Community Futures Central Kootenay, 250-352-1933 x103 or awilkey@futures.bc.ca
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