KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo has been selected as one of 13 international cities participating in the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University’s 2022 Innovation Training program, which will provide consulting, training, and networking to address a key issue facing its residents.
“We are honored to be one of 13 cities participating in the 2022 Innovation Training program,” said Mayor David Anderson. “I look forward to seeing the creative ideas and strategies that our team creates through this program, and how this process can be applied to the challenges that our community faces moving forward.”
The free, year-long program will aid a team of City of Kalamazoo staff members at work in addressing a community priority through:
- Innovation Curriculum Instruction: The city will enroll in a state-of-the-art innovation curriculum that teaches the public innovation approach through case studies, lectures, and hands-on experience and sharing.
- Dedicated Design Coaching: A core team of up to 12 city employees will work with a coach to apply the innovation approach to their chosen problem.
- Relationship Building: City staff will connect with a deep network of support made up of cities with successful innovation programs across the globe.
The Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University works to advance public sector innovation across the globe by marrying cutting-edge practice with world-class research to transform the culture of government, deliver exceptional results for residents, and inspire trust in public service. Established in 2021 with a $43 million contribution from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Center serves as the permanent home for several flagship programs, including Innovation Teams and Cities of Service, in addition to creating new programming.
