Financing Smart Communities in the New Reality: Removing Barriers for Digital Modernization Programs
Financing Smart Communities in the New Reality
Removing Barriers for Digital Modernization ProgramsProgram
As communities worldwide grapple with severely constrained budgets and difficult economic conditions, securing resources for smart community initiatives is becoming increasingly challenging. In fact, nearly 9 in 10 cities will experience a budget shortfall due to the pandemic, and they will be met with equal pressure to create jobs and provide reliable city services.
To alleviate these financial barriers that prevent communities from investing in long-term solutions, Itron and Key Equipment Finance have introduced a flexible financing program for city and utility customers in the United States to deploy smart city technologies. Making it easier for cities to move forward with programs is a key step towards enabling communities to deliver smarter services that create operational efficiencies and conserve critical resources while unlocking innovative applications that improve quality of life.
Our presenters will discuss the following:
- What is a smart city platform and what types of solutions are eligible for financing?
- What are the business models and financing options available for smart city programs?
- Within this new economic and pandemic reality, how can we best assess the return on investment for smart city solutions, including environmental, economic and social outcomes?
- How do we now develop a project framework and roadmap for success within this new paradigm?
Resources
Itai Dadon's Slides
Ben Gardner's Slides
Bob Bennett's Slides
Presenters
Ben Gardner
President, Northeast Group, LLC
Itai Dadon
Global Head, Smart Cities & IoT, Itron
Itai Dadon brings over 15 years of experience in corporate leadership, new business development and product strategy in the telecom sector to Itron. As director of smart cities and IoT, Itai is responsible for Itron’s go-to-market strategy for smart cities. Itai came to Itron via the company’s acquisition of Silver Spring Networks, where he led the IoT product management. Itai holds a master’s in Engineering, Computer Science from the Paris Graduate School of Management School.
Bob Bennett
Principal and Founder, B2 Civic Solutions
Bob Bennett is the Principal and founder of B2 Civic Solutions, an international Smart Cities consultancy firm based in Parkville, MO. Bob chairs the Cities Today Institute and also serves as a Senior Fellow at the Digital Governing Institute. From 2016-2019, he served in Mayor Sly James’ administration as the Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Kansas City, Missouri. During his tenure, he oversaw the City’s Smart City initiatives including a 54-block total digitalization pilot, strategy development for the city and P3-based expansion plans for the City. Kansas City’s initiatives earned the city an Edison Award (Gold) for “Collective Disruption” and civic innovation in 2017, and Bob was named one of GovTech’s 25 Dreamers, Doers and Drivers in 2018.Before his role with the City, Bob completed a 25-year career in the US Army which included service as a Strategist, a Battalion Commander and multiple combat tours.