Government

Mayor James challenges area nonprofits on digital inclusion

By Tommy Felts / July 18, 2017

Kansas City, Mo. digital inclusion nonprofits now have the opportunity to win free blazing-fast Google Fiber. On Monday, Kansas City Mayor Sly James launched the Google Fiber Community Connections Challenge, which will reward selected local non-profit who seeks to close the digital divide. The challenge is part of the city of Kansas City’s larger digital…

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Smart City tech enables KCMO to predict potholes before they happen

By Tommy Felts / July 14, 2017

It seems a dash of innovation can make even the most mundane subjects exciting. That is if Kansas City chief innovation officer Bob Bennett’s enthusiasm for a new pothole technology is any indication. This month, the City of Kansas City, Mo. will pilot a machine learning program that will predict potholes before they occur, saving…

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Smart City update: Living Lab set to launch, TV show may highlight KC innovation

By Tommy Felts / July 11, 2017

Bob Bennett, chief innovation officer at the City of Kansas City, Mo., said Kansas City has championed itself as a leader in big data and smart city tech for years now. But now the city is reaching an inflection point to leverage the data at a significant scale, he said. “The bottom line is that…

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Greitens creates Innovation Task Force to accelerate Missouri startup growth

By Tommy Felts / June 19, 2017

On Monday, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens launched a task force to spur startup activity and innovation in the State of Missouri. The governor’s Innovation Task Force will give an overall assessment of innovation in the Show Me State, analyze other states to glean best practices and develop specific recommendations. “While Missouri has emerged as a…

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Meet the five area startups partnering with KCMO to drive innovation

By Tommy Felts / June 8, 2017

A quintet of startup firms are working with the City of Kansas City, Mo. as part of its Innovation Partnership Program. Launched in 2015, IPP pairs area startups with city departments to not only identify new efficiencies but also offer the firm a chance to earn business with the city. After being designated a department…

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