Hamilton named one of the world’s Smart21 Communities of 2020

HAMILTON, ON - For the third time, the City of Hamilton has been selected as one of the world’s Smart21 Communities of 2020 by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF).

The Smart21 designation represents the best models of economic, social and cultural development in the digital age. Each nomination is evaluated based on the six Intelligent Community Indicators: broadband; knowledge workforce; innovation; digital equality; sustainability and advocacy.

Hamilton was among communities in the United States, Taiwan, Australia, Brazil and France that were selected. This year, Hamilton is one of five communities in Canada that were selected as Smart21 Communities of 2020. Congratulations to Fredericton, Markham, Newmarket and Winnipeg.

In January 2015, the Global Hamilton Council advisory body with political, administrative, business and community representation was formed to provide advice to the City of Hamilton. This Council proposed that the City of Hamilton apply to the ICF for the “Intelligent Communities” designation to increase international visibility and attract investment.  ICF is a non-profit group that examines the capability of individual cities to prosper in a Broad Band Economy and designates some of them as “Intelligent Communities.” 

Through the support of the Global Hamilton Council, Hamilton achieved the Smart21 designation in its first attempt in 2015.  

Hamilton will now move forward and remain in contention for the prestigious designation of an Intelligent Community Top7, to be named in February 2020. One of the seven will then be named Intelligent Community of the Year at the ICF 2020 Global Summit in Dublin, Ohio, in June 2020.

“I am extremely proud that Hamilton has once again achieved the Smart21 community designation from ICF. The collaborative spirit and technological developments happening in our community signal that Hamilton is ready to thrive and prosper in the broadband economy.” - Mayor Fred Eisenberger