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Smart Advice for Fredericton from the 2007 Intelligent Community of the Year
Fredericton (March 12, 2008) - The City of Fredericton, recently named one of the Top Seven Intelligent Communities in the World, got a little sisterly-advice today from Waterloo, ON, the city named the 2007 Intelligent Community of the Year by the New York-based Intelligent Community Forum.
Members of the Fredericton business community attending this morning's Mayor's Business Breakfast heard that being named the world's most Intelligent Community has given the City of Waterloo a great source of pride and accomplishment.
"Within a week of having been named the Intelligent Community of the Year, we received calls from businesses who were interested in knowing more about our community and what we could offer them," said Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran.. "We've also seen an increase in the number of visits to our City."
Mayor Halloran and City of Waterloo Chief Administrative Officer Simon Farbrother were special guest speakers during the breakfast hosted by Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside at City Hall.
"Our journey truly has been from cross roads to smart city," said Mayor Halloran. "Driven by exceptional growth and world-class entrepreneurs, we are a city with a strong commitment to share the larger world of innovation and ideas with its citizens and with the global community, and to see these innovations influence civic life in daily, practical terms. "
Leadership, collaboration and a culture that uses broadband were the key values and theme the Intelligent Community Forum was looking for in 2007. This year for the first time, the selection committee is giving extra consideration to communities that have undertaken environmentally-conscious programs.
"Fredericton is already a winner by being named one of the Top Seven," said Mayor Brad Woodside. "The designation proves we are a world class smart city, and our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through our Green Matters campaign positions us as a leader."
Along with economic development opportunities, the City of Waterloo has enjoyed local, national and international media attention since being named the 2007 Smartest City, said Mayor Halloran.
"It has also created a common point of reference for businesses looking to attract employees or clients and customers and created an opportunity to celebrate our community, and to celebrate what we have achieved collectively," added Mayor Halloran.
Fredericton is the only Canadian City among the top seven contenders for the 2008 title. The Intelligent Community of the Year will be announced in New York City on May 16, 2008.
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Media Contact: John White, Communications, City of Fredericton (506) 460-2227.
