DUBLIN HAS BEEN named as one of the the top seven most intelligent communities in the world in 2011, the second year running that the city has won the accolade.

Unfortunately for most of you, we are referring to the city of Dublin in the US state of Ohio and not the ‘Big Shmoke’.

The New-York based think tank, Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), has for the past 12 years selected the top seven most intelligent communities in the world.

It honours what it says are the achievements of these communities in tackling “the complex task of building and maintaining competitive and inclusive local economies in the global Broadband Economy.”

This year, as well as Dublin, it selected the other US cities of Chattanooga in the state Tenessee and Riverside in the state 0f California.

Also chosen were Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Issy-les-Moulineaux in France and Stratford and Windsor-Essex in Ontario, Canada.

Essentially the think tank evaluates communities through analysing their strategies in the deployment of broadband services, the ability to create and sustain a knowledge-based workforce, digital inclusion, innovation, and marketing and advocacy.

ICF insists that whilst this doesn’t make the communities the “smartest” on the planet it demonstrates that they have the best models for economic and community development.

Commenting on its selection of Dublin it said that its local income tax provided a “dependable stream of revenue that allows the city to maintain ample cash reserves and plan for the long term.”

Commenting on the prestigious honour, the Dublin City Manager Marsha Grigsby said: “This recognition reflects the excellence of our community – our residents, the many businesses large and small that have created a vibrant economic base and chosen Dublin as their home.”

The city of Dublin carries the shamrock as its emblem and, as you would expect, it enthusiastically celebrates St Patrick’s Day every year. Although this year it celebrated on 12 March and not on the 17th.

Its most notable residents include former golf legend Jack Nicklaus.

In total there are ten towns and cities named Dublin across the United States but none are as intelligent as Dublin, Ohio it would seem.