Belmont, Arizona is a smart city funded by Bill Gates

[Greg S]

One of the many investment companies owned by Microsoft founder Bill Gates has purchased a whopping 25,000 acres of land in Arizona. Located roughly 45 minutes outside of Phoenix, the land will be turned into a smart city named Belmont.

Focusing on high speed networks, advanced manufacturing capabilities, self-driving vehicles, and data centers, Belmont could become a hub for new technologies to thrive. A proposed I-11 freeway would connect Belmont to Las Vegas, Nevada, opening up significant opportunity. Las Vegas offers access to much of the world's best technology at conferences held throughout the year such as the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show.

Currently, the plot of land is nothing more than barren wasteland. Out of the 25,000 acres available for use, 3,800 acres are set aside for shopping, offices, and other commercial use. A 470 acre area is set aside for public schools; a cause well supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The first truly smart city for the United States will not be an easy task to complete despite the initial $80 million funding available for the project. For starters, water is going to be a major concern. The desert-like climate will make it difficult to provide resources for a proposed 80,000 residents. No information is being disclosed on the timeline of the project since it is still in its infancy.

Provided the project truly makes it off the ground and into full construction, will it be able to attract residents? Could Microsoft open an office of its own in a new smart city?

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https://www.techspot.com/news/71849-belmont-arizona-smart-city-funded-bill-gates.html

 

[Kibaruk]

Could Microsoft open an office of its own in a new smart city?

It sounds like it would be the one way to actually get people to move there, in the end people go where there is work.

 

[VitalyT]

Google for ghost towns, you will find plenty of those.

 

[Nobina]

By entering this city you agree to Terms of Service...

 

[URUKHAI]

Pity they did not pick Detroit or any of the many other basically destitute U.S. cities/towns where the residents could actually use the boost in jobs, economy and infrastructure. They could have saved millions in taxes, construction, etc. They may have still needed to do something about the water though.

It's their money to do with as they choose but it wouldn't hurt to consider some of the places that helped build and support the American economy in the past. Just a thought before reinventing the wheel in a desert oasis.

 

[senketsu]

Prime real estate this is not

 

[wiyosaya]

Pity they did not pick Detroit or any of the many other basically destitute U.S. cities/towns where the residents could actually use the boost in jobs, economy and infrastructure. They could have saved millions in taxes, construction, etc. They may have still needed to do something about the water though.

It's their money to do with as they choose but it wouldn't hurt to consider some of the places that helped build and support the American economy in the past. Just a thought before reinventing the wheel in a desert oasis.

How dare you suggest that the Genius Gates do something sensible! /sarcasm

 

[OutlawCecil]

Seriously with that name? There's already a Bellemont, Arazona. Why couldn't they come up with another name?! By the way, I'd move to a "tech city" in a heartbeat.

 

[Joe Blow]

It'll be a sinkhole for money. Go ahead and dump your billions there Mr. Bill "Eugenicist" Gates! Just leave Arizona's gun laws alone. How about this, buy up some land in urban California where you'll be more welcome!

 

[commanderasus]

Yes they have already put up the sign about the property.