Louisville to Receive $4.8 Million Bloomberg Grant

Louisville is among five cities chosen to receive money and assistance from the philanthropic arm of the Bloomberg company.Bloomberg Philanthropies is giving a total of $24 million to Louisville, Atlanta, Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans. The money will essentially pay for brain power, through what the charity is calling innovation teams. They'll work with local governments to address pressing issues identified by city leaders.In Louisville, the team will take on two tasks: government efficiency and jobs. That means creating LouieStat, Mayor Greg Fischer's proposed public database of most city information, from department spending to pothole locations and repair schedules.The team will also look at Fischer's plan for a so-called super region with Lexington. The two mayors proposed the idea earlier this month, and the Bloomberg grant will be used to research how an updated manufacturing industry can link the cities.Louisville will receive $4.8 million from Bloomberg over the next three years. That must be matched by $2.4 million in local money. The mayor's office says that will likely come from the general fund as well as local foundations and businesses.