In this episode of the Intelligence Test, ICF Co-Founder Robert Bell has a conversation with John Jung, Co-Founder, Intelligent Community Forum and Wendy Dupley, Economic Development Advisor, Langley City, BC, Canada.

Cities in Brazil, Canada, Spain, Türkiye and the USA become finalists for Intelligent Community of the Year Award

(17 June 2025 – New York, NY, USA & Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain) – At a festive, sold-out Awards dinner tonight, the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) named the Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2025. The announcement was made at the conclusion of the Top7 Conference hosted by Las Rozas de Madrid – a two-time Smart21 Community in ICF’s Awards program – and its mayor, Jose de la Uz.

The seven cities become finalists in ICF’s annual Awards program. One will succeed 2024 Intelligent Community of the Year Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil in December at the ICF Global Summit (www.icfsummit.com) in Binh Duong Smart City, Vietnam. Curitiba was in attendance in Spain for the program.

Hilliard, Ohio, is charting new territory as the first city in the U.S. to hold the title of a fully certified Intelligent Community. This week, the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), an organization that advocates for smart city growth, awarded Hilliard for its comprehensive adoption of technology that streamlines and enriches the lives of its residents. This certification is not just a fancy title; it's the ICF's nod to the city's achievements in connectivity, digital equity, innovation, and green initiatives.

(New York City - October 22, 2024) – The Intelligent Community Forum announced today the Full Certification of Hilliard, Ohio, USA, providing objective validation of policies, programs and accomplishments that create inclusive prosperity, a vibrant society and rich local culture. These combine to make this growing suburban city, located in the Columbus metropolitan region, a highly desirable location for innovative businesses, institutions and people.

Hilliard is the first city in the United States to be Certified as an Intelligent Community. It is also a two-time Top7 Intelligent Community and currently a finalist in the 2024 Intelligent Community Awards.

Brick House Blue is joining Hilliard's TruePointe development.

The local coworking company, which is also set to open a New Albany location in December, recently signed a lease for about 15,000 square feet at the Trueman Boulevard site.

It will join Advanced Drainage Systems, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Drunch, which have announced plans in recent months to open there. TruePointe, a $200 million mixed-use project that is being developed by Equity, also will have a 360-unit apartment complex.

Website: hilliardohio.gov/city-lab

Based: Hilliard

Number of employees: 63

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Hilliard City Lab serves as a hub for innovation where businesses can access the tools and support needed to grow in the technology sector.

A new facility for Eco Plumbers, Electricians and HVAC Technicians is slated for construction now that the project's developer has acquired the land on which it will be built.

Equity, the local developer behind the project, bought the 19.2-acre property for just more than $4 million, according to Franklin County property records. The land is located east of Britton Parkway near Interstate 270 in Hilliard.

The acquisition sets the stage for construction to begin on the 158,000-square-foot flex industrial facility. Eco will become the $52.7 million building's anchor tenant, taking roughly 50,000 square feet of space.

Communities from Brazil, Canada, Taiwan and the United States become finalists for Intelligent Community of the Year to be named at the ICF Global Summit in November in Barcelona

(New York, NY, USA & New Taipei City, Taiwan – June 19, 2024) – In an announcement today at the end of a live conference in New Taipei City, the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) named the Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2024. The 22nd annual Top7 list includes cities and counties from Brazil, Canada, Taiwan and the United States. One of these seven finalists in the think tank’s annual awards program will be named the Intelligent Community of the Year at the ICF Summit in November. (www.icfsummit.com)

In alphabetical order, the Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2024 are:

• Assaí, Paraná, Brazil
• Coral Gables, Florida, USA
• Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
• Durham Region, Ontario, Canada
• Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
• Hilliard, Ohio, USA
• Yunlin County, Taiwan

Hilliard technology companies needing to test their artificial intelligence-powered products will have a new tool, thanks to a grant from the Hilliard Development Corporation (HDC).

Hilliard is an intelligent, tech-savvy community on a global scale.

Earlier this year, the City was named a Top7 Intelligent Community of the Year by the Intelligent Community Forum. The honor distinguishes Hilliard as a model of economic and social transformation in the 21st century and a leader in advocacy, innovation, broadband development, and digital inclusion. ICF acknowledges Hilliard as a world-class community charting new paths to lasting growth and prosperity.