Tag Archives: Smart Cities

Guelph-Wellington awarded Smart Cities Challenge prize

Guelph, Ont., May. 14, 2019—It’s official: Guelph and Wellington County learned late this afternoon they will receive $10 million from Infrastructure Canada to implement their Smart Cities vision: Our Food Future, Canada’s first circular food economy. The joint proposal from City of Guelph and Wellington County was submitted in early March after nine months of planning involving more than 150 community partners. The program will now forge ahead in tackling three bold goals: 50 per cent increase in access to affordable, nutritious food; 50 new circular food business and collaboration opportunities; and 50 per cent increase in economic revenues by reducing or transforming food waste. “We are proud and honoured to have been selected from amongst so many worthy and deserving communities,” said Guelph’s mayor,… Continue reading Guelph-Wellington awarded Smart Cities Challenge prize

Guelph-Wellington promotes innovative solutions to address food waste – FoodCycler helps realize Smart Cities goals

Guelph, Ont., April 18, 2019 — The City of Guelph, County of Wellington, and Alectra Inc. are pleased to announce that FoodCycler—a business that offers a countertop food recycler that turns food waste into a nutrient-rich fertilizer for plants and gardens, and uses Smart technology to help residents, businesses and cities understand their food waste patterns- was awarded $5,000 to promote application development. At Toronto’s Globe Capital Exchange earlier this year, the City and the County of Wellington participated in the Alectra Inc.-sponsored Innovation Challenge in search of innovative technologies to support their circular food economy model. FoodCycler emerged as a leader in this technology and an example of the type of innovation at the heart of Guelph-Wellington’s Smart Cities Challenge bid. “We were impressed… Continue reading Guelph-Wellington promotes innovative solutions to address food waste – FoodCycler helps realize Smart Cities goals

Food nutrition, waste focus of community conversation

Guelph, Ont., March 21, 2019–More than 80 community members and food experts gathered at the Guelph Y on  Tuesday to explore our relationship with food and ways to eat healthier and reduce food waste. The event was part of the City of Guelph and County of Wellington’s Smart Cities Challenge project, Our Food Future. The evening kicked off with an introduction from Geoff Vogt, CEO of YMCA-YWCA of Guelph and event moderator. “The Y is about contributing to the wellness of individuals, groups, and the communities we serve. Food is a key part of that wellness,” he said, noting that the Y is responsible for feeding 1,500 children each weekday through its child care program. “We have learned a lot through the Smart Cities project… Continue reading Food nutrition, waste focus of community conversation

Guelph-Wellington named finalist in Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge

One of 10 awarded $250,000 on road to $10 million prize Guelph, Ont., June 1, 2018 – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced finalists in the national Smart Cities Challenge today, with the Guelph-Wellington County entry named one of 10 in its population category and awarded $250,000 to further develop its bid for a $10 million prize. The Guelph-Wellington bid is entered in the category for communities with populations up to 500,000, which drew more than 100 proposals. It was developed in partnership with the University of Guelph, Conestoga College and dozens of other experts, entrepreneurs, innovators and community champions. As a finalist, Guelph-Wellington will continue work with partners in the bid to win one of two $10 million prizes to be announced by the federal… Continue reading Guelph-Wellington named finalist in Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge

Guelph-Wellington in the running for Smart Cities Challenge

Pitch to be Canada’s first circular food economy could net region $10 million prize Guelph, Ont., April 27, 2018– The City of Guelph and County of Wellington are vying to win the Government of Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge with a proposal to create the first circular food economy in Canada. The vision behind the proposal was unveiled today at an event where Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, Wellington County Warden Dennis Lever, and Chief Administrative Officers of the City and County thanked Guelph’s Member of Parliament, Lloyd Longfield, for his pledge to champion it on Parliament Hill. Through the Smart Cities Challenge, communities were asked to identify a complex social problem, and propose a new way of solving it using innovation, data, and connected technology. The… Continue reading Guelph-Wellington in the running for Smart Cities Challenge