Warner Robins chosen as Smart21 community

WARNER ROBINS — Warner Robins is living up to its nickname, with a recent international win during the Smart City Summit and Expo in Taipei, Taiwan in late March. During the conference, the Intelligent Community Forum announced the city as a 2024 Smart21 community, an honor awarded to only 21 cities worldwide.

The city joins communities from Brazil, Canada, Australia, Turkey, Spain, Taiwan, and multiple states across the US. Statewide, Woodstock, Georgia, also received a designation.

Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said six months ago, ICF invited her to the conference to participate in a panel discussion and present their Citizen Safety Digital Twin program, a collaboration with Georgia Tech and Middle Georgia State University. 

According to a release by Georgia Tech, this program utilizes FLOCK cameras to lower crime in the community. During the pilot phase, data collected from the license plate readers helped solve a shooting, two homicides and 27 stolen vehicle cases.

Patrick mentioned that Warner Robins and Woodstock were the first cities in the state to receive the Smart21 designation.

“Warner Robins is now the gateway to innovative excellence and us receiving a Smart21 communities award is just showing the world that we are here. We are a strong player in the smart cities network, and we intend to continue advancing technology in the city of Warner Robins. To be one of two cities that receive recognition in Georgia is phenomenal, but to be the first time the state of Georgia ever received a Smart21 city, a major award at this level is amazing,” she said.

Patrick was unaware the city would receive the Smart21 designation and found out at the summit, she mentioned.

“Warner Robins is proud to announce that we were one of the 21 cities in the world to be named for that honor. This is a very prestigious award, very prestigious honor to represent our city at the international conference and be there to receive the recognition of Smart21,” she said.

Patrick also had the chance to network and attend classes, as well as an expo showcasing how cities worldwide utilize technology to increase quality of life. She said this experience was impactful, and she saw technology that solves problems we might not think about anymore, such as ensuring clean drinking water or flushable toilets.

“They rely on smart technology to help them do that. You got to see all of the brilliant minds, all the brilliant resources and solutions communities have come up with to help them for whatever their mission is,” she said.

During the conference, Patrick found herself answering questions and scheduling informational meetings with cities worldwide, a testament to the city’s innovative applications of technology, garnering international recognition and making a global impact.

“When it comes to the way Warner Robins is viewed in the state of Georgia, the way Warner Robins is viewed across our nation — and now internationally — really means something, and that is what changes the game for our city. So we have nowhere to go but up from here,” Patrick said.

Next up, Warner Robins moves on to compete for the top 7, a process that involves submitting a package to ICF marketing the city’s technology. The conference awarding the top 7 will take place in November, and Patrick said she is thrilled for more chances to showcase what the city is up to.

“I look forward to continuing to serve the city of Warner Robins, continuing to push innovation in our city and to drive more innovative solutions and industries here to the city of Warner Robins,” she said.

To view past winners and ICF’s awards process, click here.