Enterprise Saint John is looking to capitalize on connectedness through the launch of a new community data strategy called the Smart City Initiative.
It’s a three year, three-phase plan that is the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada and includes putting beacons and sensors throughout the Greater Saint John area to collect data, which will go into a soon-to-be-built data hub.
That collected data can be used by researchers who can then analyze it and find applications for the results. The vision is for Saint John to become the country’s ‘most connected community.’
Interim Enterprise Saint John board chair Martin Chaisson says Saint John is already a connected community, the key now is leveraging that to create jobs, build-up already existing industries and attract job-seekers.
@EnterpriseSJ The Smart City Initiative is described as a data strategy that will ‘transform the Saint John regional economy by using Big Data’
— Laura Lyall (@LauraLyall) May 25, 2017
“A lot of cities across North America are already trying to figure [out what to do with big data] so the last thing we want Saint John to do is wait,” says Chaisson. “Hopefully this is the starting point for us to be the smart connected city that we want to be.”
CHSJ News asked how this data strategy will change the Saint John pitch when it comes to trying to attract outside investors.
“A lot of these organizations want to be at the forefront of how to best leverage technology…one of the reasons you would probably stay away from a smaller city is you think they could not figure that out and the Torontos and the Calgaries obviously have a leg up,” says Chaisson.
“I’m looking forward to telling the story because I really believe companies will go ‘wow, we would not have expected that from such a small city.’”
Saint John Rothesay MP Wayne Long says he believes that this project represents significant opportunities for economic development for the city and region.
The first phase includes buidling the actual data hub and the expansion of WiFi infrastructure in the uptown.
The project is being funded with the help of over $1.1-million from the federal government through ACOA, and $100,000 from the provincial government.
More than $1.2M from the feds & the province announced to launch @EnterpriseSJ‘s new Smart City Initiative. pic.twitter.com/ujBuLHMWHB
— Laura Lyall (@LauraLyall) May 25, 2017