Caledon vies for $10 million to connect Caledon through Smart Spaces

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The Town of Caledon has applied to the federal Smart Cities Challenge to connect Caledon residents to digital technology, each other and the world through “Smart Spaces.”

The Challenge encourages communities to imagine how they might improve the lives of residents through innovation, data and connected technology.  Winning communities will receive up to $10 million in funding to implement their plans.

As part of the application, communities are asked to provide a “challenge statement” that describes how they intend to become a Smart City. Caledon’s challenge statement is:

Challenge Statement

With our large geographic area, dispersed population centres and lack of widespread broadband internet access across Caledon, all residents and businesses will still be connected within the Town, allowing entrepreneurship to grow, individuals to connect, access to digital resources to expand, and innovation to thrive.

Highlights

Caledon’s proposal involves increasing the number of traditional and non-traditional spaces where the community can connect, collecting data on how our community is using these spaces, and then using the data to ensure the spaces are meeting needs.

The proposal includes the creation of three types of Smart Spaces:

  • A hub which hosts co-working space for entrepreneurs, while still providing community space for residents.
  • Spokes located in a number of our villages and hamlets in community spaces that allow people access to resources at the “hub” in their local community, tailored for their local needs.
  • Outdoor spaces in our parks and trails that use smart lightning, signage and benches to provide connectivity while enjoying Caledon’s natural beauty.

Caledon’s submission is the culmination of a consultation process with the community, including an online survey and a focus group as well as letters of support. For more information, visit caledon.ca/smartcaledon. 

QUOTES

Through this project, Caledon can be an example for other rural communities on how to connect and thrive using smart technology.  We will improve economic opportunity through “smart spaces” where small businesses, entrepreneurs and residents can connect, collaborate and create.”

-- Mayor Allan Thompson.

The proposal’s goals reflect and support the recommendations identified within the Caledon Public Library’s Master Plan and we are excited by how this shared agenda will benefit the community and all those who live and work in Caledon.

-- Janet Manning, Board Chair
Caledon Public Library

It demonstrates to me that the Town of Caledon is progressive and modern in its thinking about the future of our great town. As a Caledon resident and as a long time educator in Caledon this initiative also supports the ever growing need and dependency people have on technology and connectivity while also potentially making Caledon a more attractive option for our youth to consider as a place to live and/or work. 

-- Kirk Robertson, Cooperative Education Teacher
Mayfield Secondary School

 

It is expected that a shortlist of finalists will be announced in the summer of 2018. Finalists will receive a $250,000 grant to develop a more detailed proposal, which is due in the winter of 2019, with the winners being announced in the spring of 2019. 

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Media Contact:

Strategic Initiatives | Communications
905.584.2272 | communications@caledon.ca

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