Greensboro offers $1 million in cash prizes for innovative ideas

Greensboro, N.C. – The City of Greensboro, N.C. is searching for the perfect idea to spur long-term economic development and growth, and enhance the city’s overall quality of life. As part of the Strong Cities, Strong Communities Challenge, multidisciplinary teams are invited to submit strategic plans and compete for cash prizes from a pool of $1 million.

 

The competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, is designed to stimulate job growth and business expansion in Greensboro, as well as Hartford, Conn. and Las Vegas, Nev. 

 

“We are excited to be selected as one of three cities participating in this competition,” said Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan. “Involvement from a variety of professionals in key industry sectors is crucial for fostering creative and feasible ideas, and ultimately establishing a plan to make Greensboro an even better city. We look forward to seeing what each team has to offer.”

 

Participants can submit any ideas for economic development, but may elect to focus on Greensboro’s five industry clusters, including aviation, innovative manufacturing, transportation and logistics, life sciences, and specialized business services. Proposals will be evaluated by a panel of judges to determine if they are feasible, local and innovative.

 

The deadline for registration is July 24, and proposals must be submitted by Sept. 22, 2014.

 

As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a professional staff of about 3,000 employees. The City is governed by a council-manager form of government with a mayor and eight council members.