Summerside putting heads together for $5M Smart Cities Challenge

The federal government officially launched the nationwideSmart Cities challenge on Thursdayand the mayor of Summerside says the city is going all in.

Under the program, communitiescome up with proposals to improve people's lives through the use of data and technology. At stake is a$50 milliongrand prize.

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There's also a prize of $5 millionfor communities of less than 30,000 people, which Summersidequalifies for.

Mayor Bill Martin has already bet a bottle of wine withMoncton, N.B.,MayorDawn Arnold on the outcome of the challenge.

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He said $5 million would have a huge impact on the city.

"Fivemillion dollars would represent 10 per cent of our budget, and30 per cent of our general fund budgetor even more," Martin said.

"That's very very significant. As municipalities, we're forced by law to balance our budget year in year outand it's always a challenge to do it. So if you end up with five million dollars that you're starting with, it's pretty significant."

Applications due in April

Martin noted that the city already has a number of initiatives that use technology to help the community such as the heat for less program, as well as the use of solar energy and the challenge will motivate the city to continue investments in renewable energy.

"Rest assured we've got all kinds of plans in the renewable energy field and this will probably accelerate some of our thinking," he said.

Martin says the cityformed a committee about ninemonths ago to start working on ideas for the Smart Cities proposal.

The application is due in April.

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