Intelligent Community Certification is based on a proven methodology developed by ICF over 20 years of work with municipalities pursuing citizen-first economic, social and cultural growth. It analyzes communities across six Factors that have been shown to contribute to success. The Factors and data points are as follows:

Broadband and digital services

• Degree of competition among broadband ISPs serving the community
• Availability and adoption of broadband
• Affordability of broadband service
• Policies promoting broadband deployment
• Presence of a senior IT leader in local government

Knowledge workforce

• Technology offerings in public schools
• Programs fostering collaboration between secondary, technical/community and undergraduate/graduate institutions and local employers
• Training and support programs for unemployed and underemployed residents
• Organizations providing or participating in workforce development
• Educational attainment of the population
• Higher education institutions within the community or within commuting distance
• Changes in employment
• Presence of a senior official responsible for coordinating internal and outside resources to identify employer needs and develop skills and knowledge in the general population

Innovation

• Innovation programs that support a startup ecosystem and established businesses
• Innovation programs that promote business-academic-government collaboration on economic development
• Funding sources available to support new and established business growth
• Smart city services offered by local government
• Presence of a senior official responsible for innovation in the community

Community engagement

• Person-to-person methods used by local government to educate and involve the public in decision-making
• Digital methods used to extend engagement to members of the public beyond person-to-person opportunities
• Methods for communicating the economic and community development story to the outside world
• Presence of a senior official responsible for engaging citizens, businesses and others in governance and community life

Digital inclusion

• Barriers that keep citizens from engaging in the digital economy and society
• Facilities and services for citizens to promote digital adoption
• Facilities and services for organizations to promote digital adoption
• Presence of a senior official responsible for bridging the digital divide

Sustainability and resilience

• Local government strategies for sustainability and resilience
• Environmental risks facing the community and status of programs to address them
• Targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions or saving energy, and progress toward those target
• Programs engaging citizens and organizations in improving sustainability and resilience
• Top industrial sectors in the community’s economy by employment
• Green industries operating in the community
• Strategies for attracting or promoting development of green industries
• Presence of a senior official responsible for sustainability and resilience