Viper reckons the final installation numbers could potentially reach between 1,500 to 2,000 smart LED light poles throughout the southwest Greater Chicago suburban area by 2025.

This latest deal is another that comes on the heels of the historic $1.2tn dollar Infrastructure Bill passed by the Biden Administration in 2021 and the more recent Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which authorised $391bn in spending on energy and climate change.

With these funds and grants readily available, the City of Palos Hills reports it is proactively addressing current and future infrastructure needs.

“All parties have done a great amount of due diligence over the last two years regarding critical infrastructure planned upgrades”

These range from adjusting street lighting to incorporating new sensing technologies and data analytics for smarter transportation to providing improved communication through free public wifi and enhanced security and traffic mitigation; all while reducing the environmental footprint and creating new revenue streams.

Viper Networks said it will invest ‘substantial’ funds in a public private partnership (PPP) model with periodic state grants covering the City of Palos Hills’ cost, as well as the cost for other cities throughout the southwest Cook County Chicago metro Area and beyond.

Global Sustainable Initiative of Chicago is working with Viper Networks to establish public private partnerships with local government entities to help secure a continuing flow of grants and private investments for the projects.

“All parties have done a great amount of due diligence over the last two years regarding critical infrastructure planned upgrades and Viper Networks Apollo LED streetlights, smart pole technology and smart cities systems,” said Farid Shouekani, CEO of Viper Networks.

“Developments have progressed beyond the first phase for expected grant proceeds of $5m plus, which would be the first of what is intended to be dozens or scores of $5m or greater grant amounts to be submitted to the state for infrastructure modernisation plans for the entire 21 suburban communities in Southwest Cook County in Greater Chicago over the next couple of years.”

With IoT (internet of things) sensors integration through the implementations of smart cities and smart grid technology solutions, Viper Networks incorporates wireless communication, mobile networks, broadband technology, wifi and various embedded technologies for engineered solutions with comprehensive hardware/software integration.