Columbus has been selected as the Intelligent Community of the Year by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), at its annual summit in Toronto, Canada. The designation is awarded to the community that best creates inclusive economic opportunity and improves competitiveness through the use of broadband and information technology to innovate, collaborate, attract investment, improve the delivery of government services and raise the quality of life for its citizens.

"This is an incredible community award and I want to thank every resident, entrepreneur, small and big business because they have all contributed and should be proud of this accomplishment," said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. We'd like to thank our public partners in this effort, The Ohio State University and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, and our private partner, Cisco Systems, for their important work in this effort.

The 2015 ICF focus is urban and regional planning and its impact on the way people live, work and create in their cities and towns. ICF praised Columbus for programs such as TechColumbus, the cultural revitalization of the East Franklinton neighborhood, initiatives to make higher education more accessible for low income residents and for its regional approach to economic development.

"For years, Ohio and the Midwest have known Columbus as an intelligent city. Now, the whole world knows," said Councilmember Zach M. Klein, chair of Councils Technology Committee.

With this impressive designation, Columbus is rightly recognized as a role model for the worlds best practices in creating competitive local economies and vibrant societies in this competitive global economy. Columbus has reached the finals of the Intelligent Community Awards program for three consecutive years. For more information about the 2015 ICF Awards, please visit www.intelligentcommunity.org.