Omaha is one of eight U.S. cities to receive a Smarter Cities Challenge Grant this year from IBM.
IBM awarded Smarter Cities Challenge grants to 33 cities worldwide. The grant brings a team of IBM analysts to the city for three weeks. In Omaha, the team will study redevelopment in the city’s east and northeast neighborhoods.
Chad Weaver, Assistant Planning Director for the city of Omaha, says the goal is to determine how redevelopment can meet the needs of Omaha’s changing economy and demographics. Weaver says the environmental, public safety, and transportation pieces of Omaha’s Master Plan address those issues.
The $50 million, three year IBM Smarter Cities Challenge Grant program focuses on helping cities improve urban life. Areas of study include economic development, transportation, and sustainability.