Press Releases

Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH) today sent a letter to Congressmen David Price (D-NC) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), the Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively, of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, requesting full funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 for the Smart City Challenge Program through the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Balderson, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, garnered the support of Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-OH) and Steve Stivers (R-OH) for the letter. The three collectively represent the Columbus area in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Read the full text:

Dear Chairman Price and Ranking Member Diaz-Balart,

As you begin work on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, we urge you to include the following language that recognizes the importance of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Smart City Challenge Program:

The Committee recognizes the leadership and support the U.S. Department of Transportation has provided under the innovative Smart City Challenge Program, initiated in 2015 and in deployment today. The Committee notes the ultimate winning community and four other finalist cities have received grants under the program, and that many other communities have incorporated similar community-driven advanced technology transportation project elements into BUILD or other DOT-administered grant programs. The Committee encourages the Department to ensure the programs reach successful conclusions, and that the Program – which was geared towards mid-sized communities – identifies successful program elements that may have relevance or repeatable characteristics for large urban areas as well as small or rural communities.  

In December 2015, the DOT launched the Smart City Challenge, encouraging mid-sized cities throughout the country to create ideas for innovative, smart transportation systems with the goal of moving people and goods quickly, cheaply, and efficiently. The Challenge generated 78 cities to share transportation-related challenges they face and present ideas on how to solve them to enhance the lives of their citizens.

The Smart City Challenge has led to ground-breaking new transportation and technology systems that improve travel planning and expand transportation options. While funds from this program have been primarily focused in advancing transportation technology in mid-sized cities, it is imperative the programs and findings reached from this research may be developed for rural and larger urban communities, as well.

We believe it is crucial for the Smart City Challenge reach a successful conclusion. We look forward to DOT, state and local governments, and private enterprises building off the success and findings this Challenge will deliver, so Americans around the country may benefit. 

We urge you to recognize the importance of this program in the FY 2020 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill. Thank you for your attention and consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Troy Balderson

Background

In 2016, Columbus competed against 77 cities nationwide to win the Smart City Challenge, which awarded the city $40 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation and $10 million from Vulcan, Inc., a Paul G. Allen Company. The challenge was won by developing and presenting a plan to improve the city’s mobility needs, improve residents’ quality of life, drive growth in the local economy, provide better access to jobs and ladders of opportunity, become a world-class logistics leader, and foster sustainability. Columbus’ Smart City initiative is considered an international model for other cities considering implementing similar programs.

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