Bloomington Chosen as One of Thirteen International Cities for New Bloomberg Innovation Training

The City of Bloomington has been selected as one of 13 international cities participating in the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation (CPI) at Johns Hopkins University’s 2022 Innovation Training program, which will provide consulting, training, and networking to address a key issue facing its residents. 
 
The training, delivered in partnership with the Centre for Public Impact, is entering its fourth year of programming and has helped bring to life problem-solving innovations like an on-demand bus system in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and a Renter’s Bill of Rights in Albany, NY. 
 
The no-cost, year-long program will aid a cross-functional team representing eight city departments and a representative from Bloomington Transit to address one priority issue: How might we create and maintain our sidewalk infrastructure in a sustainable and equitable way?

“Sidewalks are important to our residents and our community. They help us be a walkable/bikeable city and contribute to many of our climate action goals. I thank Devta Kidd for her leadership and look forward to the recommendations from this innovation cohort on improving this vital infrastructure.” said Mayor John Hamilton.
 
The innovation team, led by Innovation Director Devta Kidd,  will be provided with a state-of-the-art curriculum, coaching, and access to an international network of cities with successful innovation programs.
 
“From combating COVID-19 to increasing affordable housing, we know that innovation methods make an enormous difference in the ability of mayors, city leaders, and their staff to better serve residents,” said Amanda Dalfos, Executive Director of the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. “We are so excited to launch this next round of Innovation Training in key, diverse cities and at a time when there’s a clear opportunity to develop and share solutions to help others across the globe.”
 
To follow the program, bookmark the project page at bloomington.in.gov/innovate/2022-sidewalks.
 
To read more about the City of Bloomington Climate Action Plan visit bloomington.in.gov/sustainability/2020-climate-action-plan. 
 
For success stories of innovation at the City of Bloomington visit
bloomington.in.gov/success/.
 
To read the press release from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, visit publicinnovation.jhu.edu/2022-innovation-training-announcement.