Columbus OH was recently nominated as a finalist in the Most Intelligent Cities contest. Things were dire for a while for them. The politicians, business, and citizens joined together. Taxes were raised slightly. They used the money for business expansion, bike paths, rebuilding roads, and more. It worked. They’ve never had to layoff police or firefighters. Crime is dropping, employment is rising, and they’ve rebuilt their empty rainy day fund from zero back to $50 million. they have a highly educated work force who are  staying in Columbus
[City Council President Ginther] pointed to expansion projects under way at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Ohio State University Medical Center, along with growth in the technological and logistics fields as well as a burgeoning food and restaurant scene. Ginther said anyone telling him five years ago that the city code would need to be updated to deal with food trucks would not have been believed.
Well done, Columbus OH! it’s amazing what people can do when they joined together and all move in the same direction, isn’t it?
The city even has its own iPhone and Droid app!