Syracuse vying for $5M in Bloomberg competition

Syracuse is one of 20 cities designated finalists today in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge, meaning it is still alive for a $5 million grand prize.

The challenge has cities submit ideas that attempt to innovate, solve issues, and improve city life. In addition to the $5 million grand prize, Bloomberg Philanthropies is set to give four $1 million prizes to runner-up cities.

A total of 305 cities from 45 states applied for the competition. Syracuse’s submission would have it spend prize money on an international village to attract immigrant and refugee populations while promoting microenterprises.

“It is flattering to be included as a finalist in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayor’s Challenge,” Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner said in a news release. “Syracuse is a dynamic city with a vibrant immigrant community we are always trying to find new ways to serve. This innovative program will allow us to better outreach to our new American neighbors and welcome them into our community and local economy.”

The village, to be dubbed The Syracuse International Village, would connect refugee-resettlement services. It would also start a small-business training and incubation marketplace for refugees and immigrants.

Bloomberg Philanthropies will choose the competition’s winners this spring. First, cities must submit final entries in January.

To prepare for their final submissions, teams will travel to New York City for a Bloomberg Ideas Camp on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13. The camp will have teams work together to improve their ideas and will give them expert assistance. Teams will also receive individualized coaching after the camp ends.

The challenge was open to mayors of U.S. cities with 30,000 or more residents. Other finalists are Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Durham, N.C., High Point, N.C., Hillsboro, Ore., Houston, Indianapolis, Knoxville, Tenn., Lafayette, La., Lexington, Ky., Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Ariz., Providence, R.I., Saint Paul, Minn., San Francisco, Santa Monica, Calif., and Springfield, Ore.

The Mayors Challenge comes from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Project, an initiative attempting to spread ideas between cities. Finalists were rated on their vision and creativity, their ability to implement their ideas, their ideas’ potential for impact, and the potential for replicating their ideas.

Bloomberg Philanthropies, which includes New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s personal giving and the Bloomberg Family Foundation, distributed $330 million in 2011. It works primarily in the arts, education, the environment, government innovation, and public health.

Contact Seltzer at rseltzer@cnybj.com