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here can you find smart city design, innovative infrastructure, and game-changing green ini- tiatives surrounded by people known for their

hospitable nature? Look no further than Indianapolis. Set in the heart of the Midwest, Indy recently celebrat-

ed the grand opening of the groundbreaking $63-million Indianapolis Cultural Trail, what New York City–based nonprofit Project for Public Spaces named the “biggest and boldest step for any American city.” The new trail — which helps reduce carbon emissions and makes Indy a greener, more walkable, bikeable destination — raises the bar for urban revitalization. The trail replaced a lane of vehicular trafic through the core of downtown with a safe, beautiful, brick path that promotes green tran- sit. City planners from Portland to Paris have traveled to Indianapolis to study the project’s success. In May 2014, Indy will introduce a new bike-share pro-

gram, with stations set up along the eight-mile Cultural Trail. And the eco-friendly enhancements don’t stop there.

Nation’s Largest Electric Car Share Also beginning next May, the city will become home to the largest all-electric car-sharing program in the country.

INDIANAPOLIS

This Midwestern city has arrived as a leader in green transit and successful meetings.

With 500 cars and 1,200 charging stations set up at 200 different rental locations throughout the city — includ- ing on-street parking spots, private lots, and garages — it will soon be easier than ever to get around Indy, while creating as small a carbon footprint as possible. The $35-million investment in the car-share initiative will be a partnership with the Bolloré Group, and the locations of the cars will make traveling to surrounding attractions, award-winning restaurants, cultural neighborhoods, and meeting venues convenient for all business travelers and their guests. The launch of the nation’s largest all-electric vehicle-

share program will occur in conjunction with the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) Conference & Annual Meeting, which was moved from Washington, D.C., to Indianapolis, after the city announced such a sig- nificant investment in electric vehicles. In addition to the Indiana Convention Center, offering 566,600 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, the EDTA annual meeting will utilize Georgia Street, the city’s three-block outdoor- event promenade that connects the convention center

Green on the go In May 2014, Indianapolis will roll out the country’s largest all-electric car- sharing program, with 500 cars at 200 locations.