Today, the National League of Cities is announcing 50 cities, along with a number of universities and national organizations that have made specific and bold commitments to ensure their communities will thrive in the modern, innovation-driven economy. These cities are leading the nation with unique and effective local partnerships, transformational new initiatives, and significant resources directed at supporting young businesses, leveraging technology, and increasing STEM education and workforce training.
Ranging from rural townships, college towns, and major metros, cities have joined with over 200 local partners and leveraged over $100 million in regional and national resources to define and address local challenges. These cities will:
- Support new and expanded STEM initiatives that connect over 700,000 students and workers to careers in technology;
- Partner with startups to improve government services in 15 municipalities;
- Foster and resource promising local entrepreneurs in five cities to help them start and grow new businesses locally;
- Create and expand eight innovation districts—urban neighborhoods that bring together researchers, workers, and entrepreneurs—to ensure these areas benefit all;
- Serve as living laboratories to translate university research into actionable solutions in the areas of opioid overdoses, autonomous public transportation, cleaner electrical grids, and climate change;
- Establish and fund significant, new public-private-civic partnerships to advance the above priorities.
While many cities responded to NLC’s Call for Commitments, the cities announced today stand apart as national leaders for both the cross-sector partnerships they have forged and the ambitious outcomes they are committing to achieve.