Thanks to John Schultz for the heads up on this great opportunity. Apparently IBM has started a Smart Cities Challenge and will award $50 million worth of technology and services to help 100 municipalities across the globe – in chunks of about $400,000. According to the IBM web site…

Over the next three years, IBM will send its top experts to those cities that have made the strongest case for participating in Smarter Cities Challenge. IBM consultants will immerse themselves in local issues involving the administration of healthcare, education, safety, social services, transportation, communications, sustainability, budget management, energy, and utilities.

Four cities have already begun their programs with IBM: Baltimore, Maryland; Austin, Texas; and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (Greater Charlotte).

Cities interested in learning more or applying can check out the Smart Cities Challenge site. Since no Minnesota cities made the Gov Tech list of Top Digital Cities, this seems like an opportunity worth considering.