view . summer 2011
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Science and Technology in Trinidad and Tobago is looking
at creating its country’s first smart city, modeled after the
Windsor-Essex framework,” says Verner. Representatives
from the Institute came to Windsor during Bell’s visit to
study both the community and the Intelligent Community
Forum’s process to help expedite its own readiness for a
bid in the next two years.
Sandra Pupatello, minister of Economic Development
and Trade, visited the campus in late April to announce
a grant of $204,000 to the County of Essex through the
Communities in Transition initiative. The funding will
support the continued work of the Centre for Smart
Community Innovation.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to put Windsor-
Essex on the world stage by demonstrating what we have
to offer as a community,” Minister Pupatello said at the
announcement. “Leadership, vision and perseverance –
allowing us to further promote our region’s competitive
advantages and growing knowledge economy.”
Stephen Willetts, vice-president, administration and
finance, who represented the University at the event said,
“We have 32,000 alumni living, working and raising their
families in our region. The continued work of the Centre
for Smart Community Innovation means a better quality of
life and a brighter economic future for them and all of us
living in Windsor-Essex.”
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A smart community uses information technology to transform life and work in significant ways.
Todd Sands (left), executive director of the Centre for Smart
Community Innovation, and Kristina Verner (right), the Centre’s
R&D officer who spearheaded the local application.
Kristina Verner photo courtesy of Sanja Frkovic, OurWindsor.ca
