Next Century Cities (NCC) has announced its inaugural Next Generation Engagement Awards. Winning cities will be awarded up to $30,000 in financial resources and free technical consulting to implement or enhance projects that aim to better engage citizens via high-speed Internet access.
NCC is a nonprofit organization with over 130 cities as members. Currently, five Utah cities are involved, including Spanish Fork, Provo, Orem, Murray, Centerville, and Layton. The organization’s mission is to “support community leaders across the country as they seek to ensure that all have access to fast affordable and reliable Internet.”
Award applicants are expected to propose civic engagement initiatives such as participatory budgeting, public transportation and urban planning, involvement in local government decision making, or community concern reporting and response. Applicants do not need to be NCC members; however, applications will only be accepted from municipal employees. Three cities are expected to be awarded.
To apply, visit the NCC website and read the Next Generation Engagement Awards fact sheet. Applications are due June 15, 2016.