Intel has started an initiative to help communities globally use wireless technology and innovative applications to expand and improve services for municipal governments, businesses and citizens. Under the “Digital Communities” initiative, Intel is leading a diverse group of high-tech companies to help 13 “pilot” communities design, develop and deploy comprehensive solutions and services to enhance government efficiency, promote economic growth, foster greater community satisfaction and bridge the digital divide. The applications range from automating mobile workers such as meter readers and building inspectors to increasing the safety and enhancing resource management of first responders by remotely monitoring vehicle location to enhancing parent, teacher collaboration for improved student success.
The Digital Communities pilots span major geographies including the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. In the United States Intel has chosen Cleveland, Ohio; Corpus Christi, Texas; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Portland, Oregon. In other geographies the Digital Communities are Jerusalem, Israel; Mangaratiba, Brazil; Dusseldorf, Germany; Gyor, Hungary; Principality of Monaco; Seoul, South Korea; Osaka, Japan; Taipei, Taiwan; and Westminster, United Kingdom.
No community in a Muslim nation was selected for the Digital Communities initiative. This is not surprising. Intel began investing in Israel more than 30 years ago. In Israel, Intel directly employs nearly 6,000 Israelis and has invested billions of dollars building facilities and buying into Israeli companies. One Intel center at Kiryat Gat is built on land Israel confiscated from the Palestinian village of Iraq Al-Manshiya. There are reports that Intel plans to expand that facility further.
On July 24, Israeli Prime Minister Sharon announced that Intel would build a $4-billion plant in Kiryat Gat after the Israeli government agreed to increase its participation in the project to 15 percent. Intel has not officially confirmed the decision, however, Intel has presented a formal request for the grant. Under the terms of the government proposal, Intel will receive a $525-million grant, subject to a study by the Israeli Industry and Trade Ministry’s Investment Promotion Center. The new plant would directly employ 2,000 Israelis, plus that same number indirectly. Intel’s new plant will be the largest foreign investment in Israel’s history. Both India and Ireland lost out in the bidding for the facility.