Think big. Like $50 million big.

That’s the message the Niagara Region is sending to residents who have ideas of how $50 million towards “smart city” technology could change the region, in a call for input on a Niagara submission for the Canadian government’s Smart Cities Challenge.

The challege asks communities to demonstrate how the adoption of “smart cities principles” could improve the lives of residents through innovation, data and connected technology.

Smart cities are generally accepted to be urban areas which collect data through different technologies and use that information to manage assets and resources more efficiently.

A website has been set up for Niagara residents to contribute their input on how the Niagara Region or their local governments can use technology to improve the quality of life in Niagara.

Submissions will help shape Niagara’s first submission to the challenge.

The prizes for the winning community are: one prize of up to $50 million, available to all communities; two prizes of up to $10 million, available to all communities below 500,000 residents; and one prize of up to $5 million, available to all communities below 30,000 residents.

Finalists will receive a grant of $250,000 to support the development of their detailed proposal and business case. Winners will also receive funding to implement their proposals.

Finalists will selected by the independent Smart Cities Challenge jury and will be announced in summer of 2018.

Winners will be announced in spring of 2019.

Niagara’s submission will be sent in by April 24, 2018.

Niagara residents can share their ideas at, smartcitiesniagara.ca?.