Public-Private Partnership

In unique approach, one county utilizes a P3 to build public schools

Instead of it taking six years to build six schools, it took three. The first-of-its-kind project saved Prince George’s County, Maryland, millions of dollars—and includes 30 years of maintenance.

Latest Round of Grant Funding Opens for Public Arts Projects

The Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative will offer awards of up to $1 million. Cities with over 30,000 people are eligible to apply.

National Cyber Director: Liability Should Be Part of the Equation for Public-Private Collaboration

Cyber leaders’ plan to emphasize collective defense over offense hinges on industry’s willingness to share information with government in real time.

'Vaxfluencers' Getting Residents to Get the Shot

Public health agencies are paying local Instagram and TikTok celebrities to promote Covid-19 vaccines, a relatively new outreach strategy that, so far, seems to be working.

How Governments Can Leverage Federal Funds to Partner With Local Nonprofits

The American Rescue Plan allows states and localities to funnel federal relief dollars to nonprofit organizations, which the National Council of Nonprofits says could be key to local economic recovery.

In One City, Residents Found a New Use For Scooters: Penis Graffiti

The vulgar drawings, made by tire skid marks, began appearing in Topeka, Kansas, shortly after the city partnered with Bird scooters on a pilot program.

The Benefits and Challenges of Electric Car Policy

At an annual summit of transportation policymakers, local and state leaders discussed the future of transitioning from gasoline-fueled vehicles to electric-powered ones.

8 Lessons to Break the Poverty Cycle in Communities

COMMENTARY | Governments and funders are increasingly interested in two-generation approaches to disrupt this cycle by helping parents and their children move out of poverty together.

Connecticut Using Canvassing, ‘Virtual House Parties’ to Coax Black and Latino Residents to Get the Covid-19 Vaccine

The $2.9 million initiative funded by the federal government will focus on knocking on doors through Labor Day to boost vaccination rates among these groups.

The Mayor on a Mission to Bring a RoboCop Statue to His City

Mike Wiza, mayor of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, wants to score an 11-foot-tall replica of the cyborg police officer from the 1980s action film. But if that effort fails, the city might see about making its own—possibly bigger—version.

Police Department Tries Out Virtual Reality De-Escalation Training

The department in Schenectady, New York, is working with a local game development company on the program.

A Pennsylvania County Goes Hydro With its Government Buildings

Allegheny County will power its facilities with hydroelectric power under a 35-year agreement with a planned plant on a nearby river.

States Are Paying to Hire Nurses for Struggling Hospitals

Missouri is the second state to partner with a Texas-based company to bring in out-of-state nurses to temporarily increase hospital capacity ahead of an expected holiday surge of Covid-19 patients.

Electric Cargo Bikes Are Debuting in City Fleets

Under a pilot program, parks employees in Portland, Oregon will conduct trail maintenance using zero-emission bikes that were specifically designed for municipal employees.

Days Before Election, Officials Work to Combat Misinformation

Election officials across the country are waging public information campaigns and utilizing technology to fight misinformation campaigns ahead of Tuesday's election.

County Program Offers Grants to Help People Pay for Funerals

Residents in Maricopa County, Arizona, can apply for up to $1,200 toward funeral expenses if they've lost a loved one and also suffered financial losses during the coronavirus pandemic.

Concerned About Mail-In Voting? Maybe a Virtual Assistant Can Help.

Idaho is using IBM's virtual assistant platform to answer common questions about mail-in voting, a technology available for free in the lead-up to the presidential election.

Sleek, Silver and Stuffed With Litter: San Francisco Settles on Three Finalists for New Trash Can Design

The city's public works department is revamping its public trash can design to better contain garbage and, maybe, look nice on the street.

Seven States Band Together to Purchase Rapid-Result Covid Tests

The compact, negotiated by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, aims to increase production of the tests, which can deliver results in less than a half hour.

One State is Manufacturing Free Masks for Any Resident Who Wants One

Since April, the state of Utah and area manufacturers have supplied more than 1 million masks to state residents for free.