Eight cities from Jackson, Mississippi, to Seattle are the first winners in a $42 million, 100-city data-use contest sponsored by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's foundation.
Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the first winners Wednesday in its "What Works Cities" initiative. They also include Chattanooga, Tennessee; Kansas City, Missouri; Louisville, Kentucky; Mesa, Arizona; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
They'll get expert help to make data publicly accessible, incorporate it better into decision-making and evaluate programs.
"What Works Cities" was announced in April. It's open to U.S. cities of 100,000 to one million people.
More winners will be chosen through 2017. It's the latest in a series of Bloomberg Philanthropies competitions promoting innovation in city government.