Ann Arbor among 394 cities competing in Bloomberg's Mayors Challenge for grand prize of $5M
Ann Arbor is one of 394 cities across the Unites States taking part in a competition to inspire other cities to generate innovative ideas that solve major challenges and improve city life.
The Bloomberg Philanthropies' Mayors Challenge will award one $5 million grand prize and four $1 million prizes to the cities that come up with the boldest and most replicable ideas.
The participating cities encompass 47 states and more than 71 million Americans. Cities both large and small are taking part, including 77 of the nation's 100 largest cities.
394 cities are competing in the Mayors Challenge.
Courtesy of Bloomberg Philanthropies
"There's been a tremendous response to the Mayors Challenge," philanthropist Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, said in a statement. "As cities face increasingly complex problems with fewer and fewer resources, the need for public sector innovation is greater than ever."
Participating mayors must submit their ideas by Sept. 14 for a chance to win either the grand prize of $5 million or one of four $1 million prizes. The idea must solve a major social or economic issue, improve the customer service experience for citizens or businesses, enhance accountability, transparency and public engagement, and/or increase government efficiency.
Later this fall, 20 finalists will be announced. Teams from each of those cities will attend Bloomberg Ideas Camp, a two-day gathering in New York where they will work collaboratively to improve each other's ideas.
Coming out of camp, finalists will receive individualized coaching to prepare their ideas for final submission. Winners will be announced in spring 2013.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
G. Orwell
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 11:55 p.m.
AA city should promise to confiscate guns. They will win the $5 million in a flash. Just don't try to implement it.
Skyjockey43
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 8:43 p.m.
I'm guessing Ann Arbor follows Nanny Bloomberg's example and decide to put a ban on beer.
Barzoom
Fri, Aug 3, 2012 : 10:43 p.m.
Maybe we can get another meaningless rating.
Stephen Landes
Fri, Aug 3, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
I hope the contest requires that ideas be something that has been put into practice and actually achieved its stated goals. If it is just "here's an idea and we'd like $5 million to put it into practice" the exercise is worse than useless.
Mike
Fri, Aug 3, 2012 : 8:08 p.m.
The Bllombergs should just give the money to New York.....they're broke and he's running it. It would make the city books look better and he could get all kinds of praise heaped upon himself.
Dog Guy
Fri, Aug 3, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.
Jennifer Hall should realize that gun confiscation has the inside track with Bloomberg. Just don't tell that NRA poster boy, Dingell.
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Aug 3, 2012 : 6:55 p.m.
I just spoke with Mayor John Hieftje and he said Jennifer Hall from the Ann Arbor Housing Commission will be heading up the effort for the city and the proposal will be housing-related.
John Dalby
Fri, Aug 3, 2012 : 6:20 p.m.
Ann Arbor's solution to every problem will be to spend more money on art. Grand Rapids and Westland have a better chance.
SEC Fan
Fri, Aug 3, 2012 : 5:45 p.m.
This should be interesting. I wonder what AA will be proposing?