Smart Columbus

Connecting with the future workforce of Central Ohio is vital in building deep-rooted, passionate communities in Columbus. This is why we were excited to welcome nearly 50 incoming freshman into the Smart Columbus Experience Center this week as part of Denison University’s off-campus student orientation program and teach them more about the work happening at Smart Columbus and answer questions about future opportunities to get involved! Thank you to Ryan Brechbill for thinking of Smart Columbus when coordinating this unique event! A special thank you to Kenny McDonald for taking time out of his morning to share his experience as an economic development leader and providing advice to this group of driven young adults!

For a person in need, trying to access resources can mean spending hours on hold, going from place to place for answers, and hitting dead ends. Technology can help! Imagine if we had... - An accurate, up-to-date database of available resources. - Real-time information on availability and wait times. - Assistance applying for resources with clear instructions. - And more time for human connection instead of paperwork. This is what the Columbus CIE is trying to do—together with residents and case workers. Listen to their stories and hopes for the future here! Learn more at ciecolumbus.com.

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY! Smart Columbus is looking for a Community Manager to support our digital equity initiatives! This position will play a pivotal role in driving meaningful community engagement and partnerships, promoting program awareness, and contributing to success measurement of digital equity initiatives across Central Ohio. Are you passionate about bridging the digital divide and enhancing our community's access to technology? Do you enjoy building relationships with diverse audiences? If so, visit our page to learn more about the open role and send your interest to [email protected]!

Last week, over 120 community leaders, case workers and residents gathered at Nationwide Children's Hospital to celebrate our community’s next innovation project: the Columbus Community Information Exchange (CIE). The CIE is a county-wide initiative that aims to change how the community coordinates and delivers human services. Why? What needs to change? According to RISE Together Innovation Institute's 2023 Snapshot Report, 59% of Franklin County residents will experience poverty at some point in their life. But help is hard to find, community based organizations are overextended and accessing services is too complicated. Technology can help. Together as a community, we can shift from reactive to a proactive approach to care, which can lead to more person-centered support as well as health and social equity. Join us! Visit ciecolumbus.com to learn more and get involved. Special thank you to everyone involved in making the CIE Partner Reception a success! Franklin County, City of Columbus, Denise Zabawski, Matt Habash, Kenny McDonald, Elon Simms, Kenneth Wilson, Jordan Davis, Danielle L. Sydnor, Diane Dagefoerde, Ty Henkaline, Andreya Veintimilla, Tosin Guobadia, Brayan Pabón, Cami Albaugh

The Community Information Exchange initiative is well underway. Learn more about the challenges residents and case workers face that the CIE will help to address. Smart Columbus, RISE Together Innovation Institute, Jordan Davis, Danielle L. Sydnor, Kenneth Wilson, Elon Simms, Kenny McDonald, Ben Blanquera, Ty Henkaline, Andreya Veintimilla, Tosin Guobadia, Hailey Allison

Thank you to the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition members who came together last Friday, June 21, to brainstorm the future of the coalition at this year’s Mid-Year Retreat. It is thoughtful collaboration like this that will continue to push this work forward to a more prosperous, digitally connected future for all. A special thank you to Grange Insurance for hosting our event and Carrie Maun-Smith for highlighting the wonderful work Grange is doing to help close the digital divide! We are grateful to Dr. Angela M. Chapman and Councilmember Nick Bankston for taking time out of their day to provide such thoughtful insights on the importance of Digital Equity in the post-COVID educational landscape to the group. Their thoughtful perspectives illuminated the necessary path forward, emphasizing how critical digital access is in shaping educational opportunities for students.

Thank you to The Ohio State University for hosting this quarter’s Sustainability Leaders Group Meeting! A special thanks to Aparna Dial for speaking to our group about the Sustainability Success at OSU, and Dr. Bart Elmor and Dr. Nick Breyfogle for presenting their learnings from COP28. The Q3 Sustainability Leaders convening will focus on Central Ohio’s Growing Energy Demands. Reach out to Smart Columbus Project Manager, Marcus Carano, to learn more. . #Sustainability #SustainabilityLeaders  Kate Bartter

This week, the Smart Columbus Sustainable IT Group, in collaboration with Rackspace Technology explored the impact of the release of the Green It Playbook (🔗to playbook in comments). Co-authored by Ben Blanquera, Vice President of Technology and Sustainability, Rackspace Technology®, Marcus Carano, Program Manager, Smart Columbus, and in partnership with 21 local businesses; this playbook delivers 11 actionable metrics that position the Columbus Region a national leader in sustainable IT practices! Want to join the Green IT Zone movement? 💡 Click through to self-assess your progress against the Playbook: https://lnkd.in/g6_WD4_m 💡 Reach out to Marcus Carano to get involved and discover more about actions your organization can take now to ensure a more environmentally sustainable future. 💡 Download and share the Green IT Playbook! Our goals: ⚡ Activate the local business community and help integrate sustainable IT practices into business operations. ⚡ Position Columbus, Ohio as the world’s first “Green IT Zone”; an area defined by a broad coalition of organizations committing to a shared vision of sustainability in their technology and IT operations. #greenIT, #sustainability, #columbusohio American Honda Motor Company, Inc., Avaap, Benefit Resource, LLC Bread Financial, City of Columbus, City of Worthington, Buckeye Innovation, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Encova Insurance, Energi.ai, Expedient, Fahlgren Mortine, Franklin County Data Center (FCDC), G2O, Goodwill Columbus, Grange Insurance, Greif, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Huntington National Bank, IGS Energy, Intel Corporation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Lower, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, OhioHealth, Schneider Downs, T-CETRA, The Wasserstrom Company, Veeva Systems, The Columbus Region, Worthington Industries

Visit https://www.rtiico.org/ to register today! This annual gathering of community leaders, activists, business, faith, and government leaders is a unique opportunity for multiple sectors to collaborate on addressing two of our region's most pressing issues. Thursday, June 20, 2024  Doors open at 8:45 a.m.  Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. #columbusohio #equity #innovation The Columbus Region | Smart Columbus