Bridgewater wins $5 Million Smart Cities Challenge
On May 14, 2019, Bridgewater was declared the winner of the Smart Cities Challenge in the $5 million prize category, beating out 49 other communities. We’re thrilled!
Bridgewater’s winning idea aims to reduce energy poverty in our community — helping fellow residents who are not able to afford enough energy to heat and power their homes, or to fill their car up with gas or access transportation, a serious limitation on life and social mobility that affects nearly four in ten people of Bridgewater.
The jury liked that our idea would make a big difference in people’s lives by reducing poverty in our community. The same template for change in Bridgewater could be copied by other municipalities that want to make energy more affordable for their residents.
To read our winning application document, click on the cover.
BRIDGEWATER’S VISION FOR A SMART COMMUNITY
What will Bridgewater do with this new funding?
We will make homes more energy efficient: we will hire a team of experts who will help residents and property owners to make your homes highly energy efficient and to install renewable energy systems, for example by adding insulation, smart thermostats, heat pumps, and solar panels. They will help residents and property owners find grant funding or loans to pay for these upgrades. The team will also take care of getting the work done by hiring good contractors and making sure that the work is done well. They will pay particular attention to older homes and apartment buildings, and as well as the needs of lower-income residents.
We will set up an “energy management information system”: to help homeowners and businesses across the community plan energy upgrades, and make sure that you actually save energy and money as promised.
We’ll make transportation cheaper and more accessible for everyone by improving Bridgewater’s bus service, and making streets and trails safer and more walkable for everyone.
We’ll be improving community services, doing a better job of connecting residents who experience energy poverty with the community services to help them across health, education, and social services.
When can I start using the program?
Energize Bridgewater is now serving our residents! If you own your home and would like to explore affordable energy upgrades today, call us at (902) 530-3621 or email info@energizebridgewater.ca. Efficiency Nova Scotia also offers programs and rebates for homes, apartment buildings, and businesses throughout Nova Scotia. www.efficiencyns.ca / (877) 999-6035 (toll free).
