The Intelligent Community Forum announced yesterday its list of the Top Seven Communities of 2009 and for the first time Moncton was selected to be included.

The Intelligent Community Forum recognizes communities that are working to create prosperity and social inclusion in what the Forum terms the "Broadband Economy". The Forum bases its recognition on analysis by a team of independent academic experts.

The ICF announcement says this about Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
"Twenty years ago, the Moncton region was a former railroad and industrial hub facing a doubtful future.  Since then, this bilingual community has become a major Canadian customer contact and back office center, and built a "near-shore" IT outsourcing industry.  Private-sector carriers have collaborated in the city's growth as a telecom-centric economy, and helped power the addition of 20,000 new jobs since the early 1990s."

Also worth noting is that Fredericton, New Brunswick (2008 Top Seven) is also on the 2009 list.
This is a world wide process and two New Brunswick communities were selected for the 2009 Top Seven list.

Congratulations to Bristol, Virginia, USA, the only other North American community to be selected for inclusion in the 2009 list. 

The selection is another accolade that bodes well for the continued growth and success of the Moncton community.