The North Texas Innovation Alliance comprises 21 founding members, including Dallas, Richardson, Frisco, Plano and McKinney, among others. Member entities will work together to solve shared challenges, improve quality of life for residents, increase resource efficiency and strive toward inclusive economic development, according to a May 26 news release.
“Everyone benefits from the North Texas region working collectively to create the most compelling and innovative solutions to support government, residents and businesses, and to provide the infrastructure that is prepared to collaborate to respond with agility in times of crisis,” alliance cofounder Jennifer Sanders said in the release.
The North Texas Commission brought the group together for its first meeting in December, Sanders said. It has continued to meet on a monthly basis, she added.
The alliance will be tasked with tackling complex topics, including data standards and privacy, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, financial models and procurement, according to the release.
“We can get everybody to the table to look at common challenges and strengths of the region at-large and come together to form solutions ... and create policies to just really work to address those ... to create a stronger region,” Sanders said.
The alliance is particularly important right now because it will allow North Texas cities to work together on solutions to shared problems, such as the coronavirus pandemic, Sanders said.
“The timing of the crisis has really made it that much more important for everyone to be able to come together and look at how we do more with less,” Sanders said.
The group was formed to “create the most connected, smart and resilient region in the country,” according to the release. It will be part of Mastercard’s City Possible Network, an initiative aimed at advancing inclusive and sustainable urban development, according to the release.
“[The goal of the group is] a mix of convening and information sharing, but also, how do we try new things?” Sanders said.
Municipalities, agencies and private entities interested in joining can reach out to the alliance to learn more. Visit its website here.
