One of only six communities worldwide to earn this prestigious international recognition
Kingston, Ontario – November 18, 2025 – Kingston Economic Development Corporation is proud to announce that Kingston has achieved Full Certification as an Intelligent Community by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), becoming one of only six communities worldwide and the third in Canada (along with Durham Region, Ontario and Winnipeg, Manitoba) to receive this prestigious distinction. This global recognition validates Kingston’s excellence across six critical factors: connectivity, workforce development, innovation, digital inclusion, community engagement, and sustainability.
The certification follows a rigorous two-day onsite audit conducted by ICF in September 2025. During the visit, ICF representatives toured Kingston’s innovation facilities, met with leaders across industry, academia, and government, and witnessed firsthand the collaborative partnerships that define the city’s approach to economic development.
Being recognized as one of only six Intelligent Communities worldwide affirms our vision for the Kingston we’ve been striving to build,” said Mayor Bryan Paterson. “Over the past decade, our city has transformed by bringing together government, academic institutions, businesses, and community partners to create opportunities for everyone. This certification confirms that Kingston is investment-ready and positioned to succeed economically, socially, and culturally in the digital age.”
“Kingston has been on a decade-long Intelligent Community journey that has achieved remarkable results for a city of any size,” said Robert Bell, ICF co-founder and auditor. “In just the past 6 years, the city has grown its labor force by 15%, its population and new jobs by 14% and seen a nearly 70% increase in manufacturing jobs. Long type-cast as a ‘government town,’ Kingston’s private-sector employment now exceeds that of the public sector. It is the result of a conscious, consistent, all-of-community effort – not just to attract employers – but to create a powerful ecosystem that attracts, retains and rewards innovators in many different fields.”
The City of Kingston’s strategic approach to integrated planning is central to achieving this certification. By synchronizing infrastructure, utilities, services, and policies, the City created an environment where innovation can flourish. From 2019 to 2025, Kingston created 11,500 new jobs, gained 19,700 new residents, and saw a 69% increase in manufacturing employment. The City’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2040, combined with major investments in sustainable infrastructure and affordable housing, demonstrates its dedication to building an inclusive and resilient community.
Kingston Economic Development Corporation plays a key role in the city’s innovation ecosystem providing sector-specific programing, startup funding and support for businesses, along with collaborating with government agencies, post-secondary institutions, regional partnerships, incubators, coworking spaces.
“What distinguishes Kingston is the extraordinary collaboration across our ecosystem,” said Donna Gillespie, CEO of Kingston Economic Development Corporation. “During ICF’s two-day visit in September, they observed what we experience every day— businesses, government, academia, and non-profits working together seamlessly to ensure our talented workforce, entrepreneurs and companies can thrive here without needing to relocate to larger centers. This certification provides objective, third-party validation that Kingston is investment-ready and offers the connectivity, talent, innovation support, and quality of life that growing companies need.”
Utilities Kingston’s unique multi-utility model provides the foundation for Kingston’s digital excellence. As the only municipality in Ontario offering the complete suite of utility services – electric, water, wastewater, natural gas, and telecommunications – Utilities Kingston operates a 1,000-kilometre fiber network serving Kingston and neighbouring communities. This infrastructure enables intelligent maintenance through GIS integration and provides businesses with redundant connectivity options that reduce capital expenditure while incentivizing private carrier deployment.
“Our integrated approach to utility services uniquely positions Kingston for continued growth,” said Kevin McCauley, Director of Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure at Utilities Kingston. “By operating a network that connects Eastern Ontario to the world, we’re ensuring our region remains competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. We are proud to deliver utility services that provide the reliable, high-capacity connectivity that today’s businesses demand.”
Kingston is a three-time Smart21 Community since first entering ICF’s Awards program in 2009 and has been named a Top7 Intelligent Community twice, in 2014 and 2025. Full Certification represents the highest level of recognition in ICF’s evaluation framework.
To learn more about Kingston’s achievement and the Intelligent Community certification, visit Intelligent Community Forum – Kingston
Media Contacts:
Daniel Solorio
Marketing & Communications Manager
Kingston Economic Development Corporation
613-329-9270
solorio@investkingston.ca
