Guelph, Ont., March 6, 2018 – The City of Guelph is leading a bid that will capitalize on the community’s expertise in agri-tech, food sciences and agriculture, and could result in a $10 million prize through the Government of Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge.
“Guelph has a huge depth of experience and knowledge in agriculture and food, along with a well-deserved reputation for thinking outside the box. The Smart Cities Challenge is the perfect opportunity to use these strengths to tackle complex food problems,” says Mayor Cam Guthrie.
The Canada-wide challenge encourages communities to improve quality of life through a smart cities approach which involves innovation, data and connected technology. Finalists will receive funding to develop proposals. Winning communities will be awarded prize money to support implementation. Guelph is eligible for a $10 million funding prize, along with other communities with populations under 500,000.
“Through the Smart Cities Challenge, the City of Guelph, technical experts and industry innovators will work together to help tackle food problems with solutions that can be applied in our community and around the world,” says Derrick Thomson, Guelph’s Chief Administrative Officer.
Guelph is working with local partners and businesses to develop its bid. Visit foodfuture.ca. Cities must submit their proposals to the challenge by April 24, 2018. Finalists will be selected this summer and will receive a $250,000 grant to develop their final proposal. Final submissions must be submitted in winter 2019. Winners will be announced spring 2019.
Media contact
Cathy Kennedy, Manager, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2255
cathy.kennedy@guelph.ca