The first phase of a three-year MiNextCities pilot project has chosen its cities to focus on.

The project aims to address climate change, promote resiliency, improve infrastructure, and accelerate the use of clean energy, smart city technology, and efficient mobility solutions.

A $3.5 million grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will help facilitate the MiNextCities effort by NextEnergy, a Detroit-based leader in deploying smart city technologies, and Public Sector Consultants, a Lansing-based public policy consulting firm.

Dearborn, Flint, and Marquette have been chosen for the first phase…

NextEnergy will guide the three cities in developing strategies to:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Improve mobility and quality of life.
Increase attraction and retention of workers and businesses.
Enhance safety.
Boost private sector and community investment.