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City banks big on bright idea

The City of Yellowknife is vying for the Canada-wide Smart Cities Challenge grand prize  – banking big on its bid to turn street lights into “beacons of sustainability.”

Backed by the support of Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Ecology North and Northland Utilities, the city recently submitted its final proposal for the challenge, with the hope of receiving $5 million in federal funding, according to a news release issued Wednesday.

A screen grab from the City's video submission for the Smart Cities Challenge, part of a proposal that hopes to snag $5 million in funding.

The city was awarded $250,000 in June for its plan to retrofit lamp posts on the streets of Yellowknife – making them motion-activated data sponges – in an effort to boost sustainability and curb light pollution. The funding was used to prep the city’s final proposal, which included a video submission featuring the Aurora.

“Winning this contest would provide the opportunity to reduce light pollution, build electric vehicle charging infrastructure and promote sustainable tourism opportunities,” stated Ecology North director Craig Scott.

Yellowknife is one of four finalists across Canada vying for the top prize. The winner will be unveiled later this spring.