FORD, GREATER MEMPHIS CHAMBER ANNOUNCE INNOVATION COMPETITION FOR COMMUNITY-FOCUSED MOBILITY SOLUTIONS | Daily News Byte

Highlights:

* Ford and the Greater Memphis Chamber is working with businesses and local communities to fund and pilot new mobility solutions in 2023 and 2024

* to Ford The ninth mobility innovation challenge will focus on increasing access to sustainable, electrified mobility options and connecting urban and rural communities across the region

* The Chamber, partners plan to use the collaboration with Ford to advance their work to do the Digital Delta – a global leader in mobility innovation and access

MEMPHIS, Tenn– President and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber Ted Townsend now announced Greater Memphis and West Tennessee was selected for to Ford transformative, community-centered, two-year mobility innovation challenge.

Starting in 2023, Ford will work with the Chamber, StartCo, and other partners to engage local entrepreneurs in pilot projects designed to increase access to sustainable, electrified mobility options and connect urban and rural communities through regional mobility. The program is similar to The Ford Fund recently announced the Accelerator Program with Heartland Forward at West Tennessee.

This mobility innovation challenge is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to propose fair mobility solutions for grant funding – typically between $50,000-$150,000 – to be a pilot in Greater Memphis area by 2024, further accelerating the region as a test of mobility innovation.

‘to Ford promise to Greater Memphis and West Tennessee will accelerate our mission to make this region not only the global logistics leader but the global mobility leader,’ said Townsend, who made the announcement alongside the challenge co-founder and team lead Jack Gray at the Chamber’s Annual Speaker’s Luncheon, Memphis’ major business event of the year. ‘to Ford emphasizing the integration of local communities in the mobility innovation process – especially through the identification, design and piloting of mobility solutions proposed by local entrepreneurs – will be a catalyst for in development as we recruit capital and talent to this region.’

The Chamber, StartCo, and other community partners plan to use the challenge to further establish the region as the Digital Delta, a destination of choice and a global leader for the most advanced technologies being developed today and in the future. In Memphis as its hub, the Digital Delta is intended to provide greater access to innovative mobility solutions that will bridge the divide between urban and rural communities for generations to come.

This will be the ninth mobility innovation challenge deployed by Ford since 2018. Since then, the program has been successfully distributed $1 million in total grant funding to 15 mobility pilots after receiving approximately 1,000 mobility entrepreneur proposals in Detroit, Indianapolis, Austin, Miami-Dade County, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Grand Rapids and Mexico City.

Further timing and funding details will be announced early next year. Program leaders will begin reaching out to local communities and businesses as soon as possible.

To learn more or sign-up to receive program announcements, email cityone@ford.com.

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About the Greater Memphis Chamber

One of Memphis’ oldest institution, the Greater Memphis Chamber is a privately funded nonprofit that serves as the region’s leading economic development organization and the ‘Voice of Memphis Business’ on local, state, and national issues. The Chamber relentlessly pursues prosperity for all – through economic and labor development, pro-growth advocacy, and by providing support and resources to its investors, which include many of largest employer in the region. For more information about the Chamber, visit memphischamber.com and memphismoves.com. Also, follow the Chamber on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and sign up for its weekly newsletter, the Memphis Fourword.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, dedicated to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-haves Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury cars, as well as connected services. Aside from this, Ford establishes leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs approximately 176,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Credit available at corporate.ford.com.