The pandemic has led to big adjustments in procurement staffing in governments

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.The COVID-...

By Michael Keating • May 26, 2021

Predicting travel rebound, Airbnb rolls out major feature upgrades

The company is implementing a swath of changes, including to its City Portal, as CEO Brian Chesky said he anticipates the "biggest travel rebound in a century." 

By Chris Teale • May 25, 2021

Stimulus funds poised to magnify impact of Economic Development Administration’s new equity focus

The EDA has for the first time prioritized equity in its strategy as it looks to invest in underserved communities and prepare them for the jobs of the future.

By Chris Teale • May 24, 2021

College Park, Georgia turns to Comcast for smart city solutions

Learn how Comcast and College Park, GA partnered to design solutions that meet the city's unique needs.

May 24, 2021

Mayors ‘reimagining public safety and policing’ in wake of recent violence

One approach is to direct some 911 calls to mental health professionals rather than to police, said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, while other local leaders are eyeing stimulus funds for community violence intervention efforts.

By Cailin Crowe • May 21, 2021

New caucus brings local voices to halls of Congress

The Former Local Elected Officials Caucus hopes to improve cooperation among levels of government, providing support during and after COVID-19 recovery.

By Chris Teale • May 20, 2021

Increased road deaths prompt calls for improved vehicle tech

While some in Congress continue to talk up the promise of autonomous vehicles, others said existing technologies can help bring fatalities down now — and they warned of AVs' risks to safety and jobs.

By Chris Teale • May 19, 2021

City-led communications can help combat vaccine hesitancy, researchers find

Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka said it will take an "all hands on deck" approach to overcome vaccine hesitancy, and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell highlighted the role popular sports teams can play.

By Chris Teale • May 18, 2021

Cities navigate how to maximize incoming American Rescue Plan funds

Some of the $350 billion earmarked in the stimulus package is now being sent to strained state and local governments, tasked with making the most of the influx. "It's both exciting and terrifying," said Dayton, Ohio's city manager.

By Maria Rachal • May 18, 2021

3x more US residents lack broadband access than FCC estimates: report

Around 42 million people could not access high-speed internet in 2020, according to BroadbandNow, far above the 14.5 million estimated earlier this year by the Federal Communications Commission.

By Chris Teale • May 14, 2021

Rethinking the ways cities can invest in vital neighborhoods

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.COVID and the ...

By Andre Brumfield • May 13, 2021

NJ lawmakers threaten new driving tax to fight NYC congestion pricing

A proposal would charge out-of-state drivers state sales tax on top of any tolls they pay traveling between the two states and use the revenue to alleviate costs for New Jersey commuters. "We'll fight fire with fire," said Rep. Josh Gottheimer.

By Chris Teale • May 12, 2021

Amid hyperloop, maglev hype, calls intensify to better fund Amtrak

Supporters of emerging rail technologies called for federal funding at a congressional hearing last week, but existing service providers argued they should get top budgeting priority.

By Chris Teale • May 11, 2021

How housing and property conditions can affect neighborhood stability

Companies, owners, teams and players all measure success based on a goal or metric. In isolation, those goals and metrics often make sense—for example, percentage increase in top line sales year over year, or reduction in overhead costs year over year, or number of games won in a season, or batting average or bringing home the championship trophy.

By Michael Halpern • May 10, 2021

High-speed rail gets moment in congressional spotlight

At a congressional hearing Thursday, supporters of high-speed rail said it could cut congestion and connect communities, but troubled projects in California and Texas remain front of mind for cost-wary opponents.

By Chris Teale • May 7, 2021

‘We are simply not ready’ for EV charging at scale, House Republicans say, warning of China dependence

During a hearing Wednesday on major clean-transportation legislation — part of the Biden administration's $174 billion proposal to bolster electric vehicles — Republicans said the plan strips away consumer choice.

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2021

The power of local government: How cities and counties can solve our nation’s infrastructure crisis

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Every four...

By Josh Mallamud • May 7, 2021

How local government can use proactive health monitoring and outreach to improve community health outcomes

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.For many years...

By Larry Morrissey • May 5, 2021

NYC removes EV exemption cap, blocking Revel ride-hailing service

The Taxi and Limousine Commission voted Tuesday to remove the EV exemption for new for-hire vehicle licenses, which could have allowed the company to put 50 Teslas on city streets.

By Chris Teale • Updated June 24, 2021

Miami methodically stockpiles procurement talent through purposeful recruitment

Miami methodically stockpiles procurement talent through purposeful recruitment

By Michael Keating • April 30, 2021

Lime taps user base for Complete Streets advocacy

The "People-First Cities" campaign encourages users to advocate for safe local infrastructure. The company said it hopes its presence in red states will push Republican lawmakers to support Biden's infrastructure package. 

By Cailin Crowe • April 30, 2021

New York lawmakers pass bill requiring all new vehicle sales be zero-emissions by 2035

The measure now awaits Gov. Andrew Cuomo's signature. His office says a decision has not been made yet, but the state is committed to electrifying its transportation sector.

By Robert Walton • April 30, 2021

NLC calls for engagement, proper training for facial recognition tech

The report urges cities to limit the scope of the technology and have rigorous data standards to protect privacy, but opponents say that's not enough.

By Chris Teale • April 29, 2021

Cleantech incubator part of Houston’s goal to be ‘energy transition capital’

One year after the city unveiled its Climate Action Plan, the incubator said it has 30 startups ready to move into its 40,000-square-foot Greentown Labs space.

By Chris Teale • April 23, 2021

3 ways to improve citizen engagement with Millennials and Gen-Z

American City & County Associate Editor Jason Axelrod offers insights on citizen engagement based on his reporting and on being a Millennial himself

By Jason Axelrod • April 23, 2021