County gives $40,000 to Smart Cities application

Wellington County has contributed $40,000 toward the Guelph-Wellington County Smart Cities application in the hope of grabbing the $10 million prize.

Guelph CAO Derrick Thomson, Guelph executive director of innovation and intergovernmental service Barb Swartzentruber, Guelph manager of policy and intergovernmental relations Cathy Kennedy and Wellington County director of economic development Jana Burns updated Wellington County council on the status of the application on June 28.

The Guelph-Wellington County entry was named one of 10 finalists in its population category on June 1. It was awarded $250,000 to develop its application for one of two $10 million prizes to be announced next spring.

“Our goal to the food community of the future is really a rural and urban partnership that builds on the great work that our community leaders do in areas of agri-food, social innovation, health and economic development each and every day,” said Thomson.

The bid’s vision is to increase access to affordable, nutritious food by 50 per cent, create 50 new circular businesses and collaborations by using waste as a resource and increase circular economic revenues by 50 per cent, all by 2025.

“Food is a social, economic and environmental issue,” said Swartzentruber.

Wellington County will see the benefits of this program, said Burns.

“Locally we have a portion of the population that struggles to put food on the table and then a higher number actually that are dealing with negative health impacts that are associated with obesity,” she said.

The task force will be working until the end of December to complete the application.

“What we need from the county it for your expert staff to participate with us as co-leads and to bring a county perspective,” said Swartzentruber.

Councillor Allan Alls asked if the program will continue if Guelph and Wellington County are not successful in the bid.

“We have now opened up networks between county and the city and different businesses and industries, and we don’t believe, regardless of the outcome of the next phase, that will never go away,” said Thomson.

Council approved senior staff involvement in this project and contributed $40,000 for support.