The Smart Cities Challenge put Columbus up against stiff competition from San Francisco, Austin, Pittsburgh, Portland and Kansas City, all finalists in the competition. As the “Smart City” winner, Columbus’s reputation as a forward-thinking tech city is being bolstered by companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, AT&T and MobileEye.

With $140 million coming in to develop the “city of the future,” Metro Columbus could look a little different in years hence! Especially when it comes to getting around town. With the grants, Columbus intends to launch a “smart” public transportation system using self-driving vehicles, while using electric vehicles for public works. Vehicle-to-vehicle communications would link city buses, taxis and trucks together in a comprehensive network.

This may not sound like much until you can picture the benefits. Vehicles that can “talk” to each other can sort out problems from miles away, by sending alerts and communicating alternate routes, improving public safety. Improved logistics for moving goods and people can lead to better efficiency, resulting in cost savings and reduced traffic congestion.

Among the first priorities for Columbus is improving transportation services to under-served neighborhoods. For example, the city intends to have self-driving shuttles and ride services dispatched to Linden residents, providing transportation to jobs and medical care.

While the grants are exciting news, we must also keep in mind that Columbus will be working with a confluence of emerging technologies, and a public and private sector partnership of some complexity. In short, the city of the future won’t be built overnight. But it will be built in Columbus!

Would you like to make your future home in Columbus? As your Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we serve your best interests at all times! Unlike real estate agents and brokerages who represent sellers, as an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we only represent you, the buyer, getting you the best price and terms with no conflict of interest at all times.

Understanding this distinction could literally save you thousands of dollars not only on the purchase price and terms, but also on seller concessions and home inspection issues, whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an experienced homeowner!

Contact us with your home buying questions! Remember, we are with you every step of the way…all the way home!

Andrew Show
Broker, CEBA, CEBA-M, CNE, CSP, ABR-M, e-PRO, GREEN
Buyer’s Resource Realty Services
Serving Metro Columbus, Ohio with Exclusive Buyer’s Agents
7100 North High Street, Suite 204, Worthington, Ohio 43085
614-888-4110 | 888-888-4110 Toll Free | 614-839-4110 Fax

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