Following a several months long evaluation process, the City of Newark, Delaware, has been selected by the Chesapeake Crescent Initiative (CCI), for its first pilot program, which will assist city officials in maximizing efficiency in service delivery, in order to improve citizens lives and achieve a high level of global competitiveness for economic development. CCI conducted evaluations throughout the summer of nine cities in the mid-Atlantic region, and believes that Newark has the local leadership and state-level support necessary for this initiative to succeed in improving the lives of residents.

CCI was very impressed by citizen-focused efficiency initiatives including the installation of smart energy and water meters, as well as state support for improving resiliency among governments. "This project provides a tremendous opportunity for the City of Newark to build on our state's efforts to both operate more efficiently and to enhance our resiliency so we mitigate the damage of disaster situations before they happen," said Governor Markell. "The strategies developed as a result of this effort will allow us to maximize our limited resources in a way that best serves the citizens of Delaware."

Throughout the coming months, this project will assess Newark's technological maturity and infrastructure, and work to establish a "Safe + Smart City Blueprint" of big-picture recommendations to improve and integrate hard and soft infrastructure, including buildings, public safety, energy, transportation, water and wastewater, and information and communication technologies to both minimize daily service delivery costs, and to ensure resiliency in case of emergencies.

"Newark, Delaware is honored to serve as the first pilot community for the Safe + Smart Cities coalition," said Newark City Manager Carol Houck. "My staff and I are looking forward to participating in this collaborative process and we are cognizant of the tangible benefits to be derived from the opportunity. Improving the livability of our community through an increased use of technology, embracing operational efficiencies, and focusing on sustainability are among our prime goals, which align well with the objectives of the initiative."