2020 Georgia Smart Communities Challenge Announced

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Thursday, April 2nd, 2020

The 2020 Georgia Smart Communities Challenge (Georgia Smart) is now accepting applications from all Georgia communities. GMA, along with other organizations, is a partner with Georgia Tech in this effort.

Georgia Smart is a competitive one year program that supports local governments of any size within the State of Georgia by providing grant funding and access to technical assistance, expert advice, and a network of peers. Successful applicants will leverage these resources to explore, study, and plan for the use, deployment, and/or integration of smart community technologies into their jurisdictions and operations.

Teams must partner with a Georgia Tech researcher who will assist and advise the team and conduct research in support of the community’s needs and goals. Research projects will be designed by the teams in coordination with the Georgia Tech researcher and may include such varied topics as policy development, creation of a technology roadmap, transportation analysis, the development of a prototype or pilot technology or app for public engagement, or any other relevant research topic.

Applicants are highly encouraged to participate in at least one informational event held by the Georgia Institute of Technology to become acquainted further with this opportunity. Applicants who wish to learn more should attend one of our Informational Webinars on April 6th, 2020 at noon and April 28th, 2020 at noon.

Eligibility
All local governments (cities and counties) in Georgia are eligible to apply.
Optional pre-proposals should be submitted by April 24th, 2020.