An organization representing 133 cities and counties around the country is offering up thousands of dollars in grants to get localities thinking about how to engage their citizens with IT.

The nonprofit Next Century Cities, known for its advocacy for affordable high-speed broadband access, is now accepting applications for its new “Next Generation Engagement Awards.” The contest will award at least three communities with grants of up to $30,000 each to fund projects focused on using internet-based tools to boost civic engagement. The Democracy Fund is providing the bulk of the financial support for the grants, with some additional contributions from the Benton Foundation…