The City of Newport – the Midwest’s first “Smart City” – has formally launched and dedicated MyLo, a high-tech smartLINK mobile that is located on Third Street in front of Newport on the Levee’s Gallery building entrance.
Pictured from left to right dedicating the smartLINK node in Newport: Newport Commissioner Ken Rechtin, Assistant to the City Manager Larisa Sims, Nexigen Jon Salisbury, Vice Mayor Tom Guidugli, Jr., Mayor Jerry Peluso and City Manager Tom Fromme at Newport on the Levee.
Developed by Newport-based Nexigen and Beast Carbon of Evendale and designed to resemble a large iPhone, the node features USB fast charging outlets, an interactive tablet for internet access, emergency calling capabilities, atmospheric sensors, data analytic devices and two 55-inch outdoor displays for wayfinding and advertising purposes.
Cincinnati Bell, Furlong Construction of Wilder, management of Newport on the Levee and Newport city officials including City Manager Tom Fromme, Assistant to the City Manager, Larisa Sims and Newport Vice Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr. were also instrumental in the development of the node.
“We are proud to be part of an innovative public-private partnership with Newport-based Nexigen,” said Newport Mayor Jerry Peluso. “Today is only the beginning. The possible applications for this system will only be limited by our imagination.”
The smartLINK node is connected with high-speed fiber optics that emit super-fast wireless internet. It allows the city and businesses to engage and connect users through smart technologies that streamline the efficiency of services that residents and visitors want and need and the data that businesses can us to better serve their customers.
Nexigen co-founder Jon Salisbury said the concept of the node was first launched over a lunch his team had with Vice Mayor Guidugli and included a discussion of how the Newport Independent Schools could make wireless internet more available to students throughout the city.
“The node itself is a data collection hub,” Salisbury said. “It is designed to provide fast internet as well as to ingest information, and that information can be used by the city and businesses to make smart decisions about better serving their residents and customers.”
Other nodes are planned in the city.
Newport on the Levee Director of Operations Barney Estes said The Levee is proud to be partners with the City of Newport, Nexigen and the many corporations that have given their time and resources to make smartLINK possible.
“Technology has forever changed the way that we live,” Estes said. “It is good to see corporations, businesses and governments teaming up to help enhance the lives of residents, customers, visitors and guests of Newport.”
City of Newport
