the staff of the Ridgewood blog
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ — In a bold move toward a tech-driven future, the Borough of Englewood Cliffs is officially stepping into the Smart City arena.
On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed between the borough and LG CNS America Inc. at a press conference hosted at LG CNS Headquarters, 111 Sylvan Avenue. This landmark event kicks off a transformative public-private partnership focused on building a Technology and Innovation District right in the heart of Bergen County.
🚀 The Vision: Smart, Sustainable, and Community-Driven
This isn’t just another handshake and photo op. The MOU represents Englewood Cliffs’ first major commitment to becoming a Smart-City-Ready municipality, powered by:
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Cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT, and digital twins
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Smart infrastructure and connected public systems
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Local talent development and tech internships
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Cybersecurity and data resilience
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Digital literacy and inclusion
It’s innovation with a community-first mindset—high tech meets high impact.
💡 Who’s Behind the Push?
The partnership has been years in the making, led by a tech-savvy local government team:
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Councilman Tim Koutroubas (Master of Ceremonies), who played a key role in making the partnership a reality
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Councilman Rashid Patel, Chair of the Borough’s Technology Committee
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Councilman Philip Liang, Committee Member
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Borough Administrator Intashan Chowdhury, who helped coordinate the collaboration with LG CNS
Their combined efforts helped craft the policy groundwork and engage stakeholders in shaping a forward-thinking technology plan.
🗣️ Leaders Weigh In
Mayor Mark M. Park called the MOU a “turning point” for the borough:
“With LG CNS as a partner, Englewood Cliffs is not only embracing innovation—we are building the foundations of a Smart City and Innovation District for the East Coast. This reflects our community’s values and aspirations. We’re ready to lead.”
Jun Ho Lee, President of LG CNS America, echoed that enthusiasm:
“Our vision aligns perfectly with the Borough’s ambition. Together, we’re creating a blueprint for smart-city innovation—one that empowers residents, develops local talent, and brings cutting-edge technology where it matters most: right here at the local level.”
🛠️ What’s in the MOU?
Here’s what the year-long agreement aims to explore:
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Smart poles and smart infrastructure deployment
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Integration of AI, IoT, and digital twins
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Boosting cybersecurity and data resilience
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Workforce development programs and internships for NJ residents
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Community-based digital literacy initiatives
📍 Why It Matters
This partnership isn’t just good for Englewood Cliffs—it could become a model for towns across the country.
As towns and cities across America look for ways to modernize, Englewood Cliffs is stepping up as a leader in municipal innovation, setting the stage for future growth, sustainability, and high-tech opportunity.
📅 What’s Next?
Following the MOU signing on July 29, expect pilot programs, public workshops, smart tech installations, and educational initiatives to roll out throughout 2025 and beyond.
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