Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown today launched his 2nd Annual Mayor’s Civic Innovation Challenge - Powered
by AT&T, seeking creative solutions to promote and increase recycling rates, or other sustainability initiatives in
the City of Buffalo.
“Through my Civic Innovation Eco Challenge, we are seeking technology-based solutions or apps that will increase
resident engagement in our curbside recycling program, and other sustainability efforts. It is also a continuation of
my Administration’s efforts to create a tech-smart Buffalo,” Mayor Brown said. “The Challenge also offers $12,000
in prize money, with $7,000 going to the grand prize winner, in addition to the pride of creating a working app or
technical solution which will aid our continuing work toward a ‘greener’ Buffalo.”
AT&T, which was the lead partner in the Mayor’s inaugural Civic Innovation Challenge in 2018, is back again, with
a $10,000 contribution.
“AT&T is proud to collaborate with Mayor Brown to host this innovative challenge again this year because it aligns
with our commitment to supporting local innovation and it showcases how municipalities can utilize mobile technology
to enhance quality of life issues for its residents,” said Amy Kramer, New York President, AT&T. “As a company
that is dedicated to safeguarding the environment and which works with cities across the country to implement
smart cities solutions focused on reducing environmental impact, AT&T is thrilled to be involved in this challenge.
I applaud the Mayor for his longstanding commitment to recycling and environmental conservation and embracing
how mobile technology can improve upon these already robust programs.”
“The future of our City in this digital world depends on our residents’ participation and innovative spirit. This contest
provides all of our residents an ability to showcase their innovative skills and we’re all the beneficiaries of these
efforts,” Dr. Luis E. Taveras, City Chief Information Officer, said.
The Civic Innovation Eco Challenge – Powered by AT&T is designed to encourage developers, designers, and creators
to innovate around the theme of green and clean technology. The City is seeking entries that can have a positive
environmental impact on recycling, waste reduction or diversion, energy usage, water quality or usage, emissions,
transportation, sustainability, or a related field.
“We are looking for tools that will help our residents become more engaged in the City of Buffalo’s environmental
programming,” said Susan Attridge, City Director of Refuse and Recycling.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2019
MAYOR BROWN LAUNCHES CIVIC INNOVATION ECO CHALLENGE -
POWERED BY AT&T, A COMPETITION OFFERING $12,000 IN PRIZE MONEY
FOR TECHNOLOGY-BASED SOLUTIONS TO PROMOTE RECYCLING AND
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS ACROSS THE CITY OF BUFFALO
Contact: Sharon Linstedt
(716) 851-4246
Civic Innovation Mayor Byron W. Brown’s
POWERED BY
ECOCHALLENGE
Entries should be an original working desktop, mobile, or web app, or other technical solution or device. The City of
Buffalo will leverage the winning entries to promote and increase sustainability efforts in the city and region.
“Buffalonians are creative and resourceful people and we know they will come up with some unique and creative
ways to help build a more sustainable Buffalo,” said Kirk McLean, Director, Open Data Buffalo.
As part of the competition, a Civic Innovation Jam will be staged on Saturday, March 9, 2019, from 9:30 a.m. to 2
p.m., at the Bulger Communications Center, on the Buffalo State College campus.
The Jam will provide a community engagement opportunity for those with advanced technical skills and those passionate
about recycling and other sustainability initiatives to come together to brainstorm potential solutions.
Mayor Brown will kick off the Jam with opening remarks, followed by a keynote address by Derrick Parson, founder
of GRASPIE, a mobile-first learning and engagement platform for the millennial workforce. GRASPIE is participating
in Launch NY and working with its first enterprise client of over 2,000 employees.
The City is partnering on the Challenge with AT&T, which is contributing $10,000 in prize money. Environmental
Systems Research Institute (Esri), the global builder and supplier of commercial Geographical Information Systems
(GIS) software, which the City uses to manage and analyze its geospatial data, such as parks, district boundaries
and real estate parcels, has signed on with a $3,000 sponsorship.
Other new sponsors include Modern Disposal, the City’s recycling vendor, and Socrata, the technology firm which
hosts the Open Data Buffalo portal, each contributing $1,000.
The top three competitors will win $7,000, $2,000 and $1,000 cash prizes, respectively. Two new prize categories
have been added for this year’s Challenge, “Best Use of information from Open Data Buffalo” and “Best Use of the
Esri Toolbox.” Winners of those categories will each be awarded $1,000 cash prizes.
In addition to Ms. Kramer and Dr. Taveras, the seven-member panel of judges will also include: Cletis Earle, CIO,
Kaleida Health, Dr. Jacquelyn Malcolm, CIO, Buffalo State College, Dr. Josep Jornet, Associate Professor, University
at Buffalo, Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Justin Booth, Executive Director, GObike Buffalo, and Gerard Aiken,
Local Government Manager, Esri.
The Civic Innovation Eco Challenge will run from February 20 through April 22, 2019. Following the judges’ review
and winner selection, an awards ceremony will be held on May 9, 2019.
Full information on the Challenge and registration forms are available at www.buffaloinnovates.com. Open Data
Buffalo can be accessed at: https://data.buffalony.gov/
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