The city of Columbus is getting a big boost in its bid to win a federal transportation competition that would bring major investment to the city.
Columbus is one of seven finalists to win the US Department of Transportation's $40 million "Smart Cities" grant.
The money would be used for advancing transportation technologies.
Mayor Andrew Ginther said it would make Columbus “the Silicon Valley of intelligent transportation systems.”
To give the city even more of an edge in the contest, Tuesday the Columbus Partnership announced $90 million in commitments toward the cause from local investors.
"We have institutions, we have non-profits, we have private sector leaders, all of which have joined forces," Alex Fischer, President and CEO of the Columbus Partnership said. "We're in it to win it. Columbus is indeed undoubtedly the choice, based on our public sector leadership, our private sector leadership, the set of assets that we have to demonstrate to the country how to transform a community."
The city should find out next month whether or not it will receive the grant.
To learn more about the "Smart Cities" effort, click here.
Editor’s Note: 10TV's parent company, the Dispatch Printing Company, is a member of Columbus Partnership.
