The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) released a comprehensive ranking of intelligent communities grouped by population. Hudson ranked 10th among cities with populations under 50,000. Hudson was one of only four U.S. cities to be in the top 10.
The lists rank Intelligent Communities in ICF’s global data set using information provided over the past five years and divide them into population groups from 50,000 and under to 1 million and over. It incorporates results from the Smart21, Top7, and Intelligent Community of the Year evaluations. This data is carefully weighted to balance the self-reported and third-party data of the Smart21 evaluation and the data from later stages of evaluation that is subject to onsite validation.
“This is quite an honor, since we’ve been a Smart21 Community for less than a year,” said Jim Stifler, Chief Economic Officer. “Over the past few years, we have been focusing on innovation in everything we do – from Velocity Broadband to smart technology applications and open data—so we can position Hudson for the future. Being in the top 10 puts us in the prestigious company of innovative communities around the world.”
Previously, Hudson was named a Smart21 Community for 2018, the only U.S. city to receive the award this year. The six indicators that determine becoming a Smart21 Community include: 1) Broadband, 2) Knowledge Workforce, 3) Innovation, 4) Digital Equality, 5) Sustainability, and 6) Advocacy. All are considered important factors in determining a community’s competitiveness in the Broadband Economy.
“We knew Hudson was innovative, smart, and an exceptional place to live, work, and play – but not to the extent that was uncovered during this process,” said Paul Leedham, Chief Innovation Officer. “The City has been striving to become an intelligent community and that is reflected in many of its initiatives. Now recognized as a Smart21 Community, we have gained a deeper connection and collaboration with partner cities that are part of ICF. This is absolutely a community effort, and we look forward to the continued collaboration to position Hudson for the future."
See the full list of rankings on the ICF website here.
About Intelligent Community Forum (ICF)
The Intelligent Community Forum is a global network with a think tank at its center. It connects hundreds of cities and regions on five continents for collaboration on economic development and for exchange of expertise and information that drives progress. Through this network, ICF researches how Intelligent Communities use information and communications technology to build inclusive prosperity, solve social problems and enrich their quality of life in our connected century. ICF is headquartered in New York City, is a worldwide organization that is renowned for its efforts recognizing Intelligent Community excellence through its annual awards programs, workshops, conferences and other support. Today there are nearly 170 Intelligent Communities around the world, and growing annually, with Intelligent Community representatives on every continent. The Intelligent Community Forum Foundation (ICFF) is the association of these Intelligent Communities, aimed at working together to share information and develop more Intelligent Communities throughout the world. As ICF’s principles are sought after around the world, there is an opportunity for each country to focus its ICF-related efforts within their region. For more information, visit www.intelligentcommunity.org.
