{"id":358257,"date":"2026-07-31T00:32:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T00:32:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/358257\/"},"modified":"2026-07-31T00:32:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T00:32:42","slug":"poll-the-future-of-american-innovation-may-look-more-like-jacksonville-than-silicon-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/358257\/","title":{"rendered":"Poll: The future of American innovation may look more like Jacksonville than Silicon Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most Jacksonville residents trust companies that invest in practical, community-driven innovation more than those chasing the next big thing, according to new research from\u00a0PMI U.S.<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0The Harris Poll<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The survey of 2,000 U.S. adults ages 21 and older, conducted online May 19 through June 2 with market samples in Jacksonville and eight other metros, found 88% of Bold City residents feel that way. Another 76% believe too much of today\u2019s innovation prioritizes hype over impact.<\/p>\n

The findings are part of a national study detailed in a recently released\u00a0white paper<\/a>\u00a0from the U.S. businesses of Philip Morris International. Among local respondents, 83% agreed that \u201cthe best innovation doesn\u2019t disrupt\u2014it delivers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAmericans still believe innovation will shape the country\u2019s future, but they\u2019re becoming less interested in innovation theater: headline-grabbing breakthroughs or ideas that feel distant from the realities people face every day,\u201d said\u00a0Marian Salzman<\/a>, SVP Corporate Development & Senior Adviser to the CEO at PMI U.S. and one of America\u2019s leading trend forecasters. \u201cWhat people crave is practical innovation \u2014 solutions they can see, experience, and benefit from in their own communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nationally, 79% of Americans believe the country is innovating in the wrong areas, a view shared by 74% of Jacksonville respondents. Asked what they want instead, 87% of local respondents pointed to innovations that solve the problems people deal with every day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Residents also give the city credit for progress. Some 86% say Jacksonville is making headway using technology to solve local problems, while 68% see momentum in creating opportunities for young people and 67% in improving public safety.<\/p>\n

The survey found broad agreement on what Jacksonville wants from the private sector, too. Among respondents, 93% say better coordination among local organizations would speed progress, 89% say companies should act as partners rather than assume they have all the answers, and 90% want a long-term commitment from those partners.<\/p>\n

Confidence runs higher at home than nationally. A 53% majority said they are confident in the direction of their community, compared with 41% who said the same about the country.<\/p>\n

The findings arrive as PMI U.S. rolls out its\u00a0America250 platform<\/a>, which includes the $250,000 Community Futures Challenge, a 50-state open call that will award five $50,000 grants to expand community-led solutions already underway. Regional events are planned in Jacksonville, Nashville, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Stamford, and applications are open at\u00a0America250CFC.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Three-quarters of Americans surveyed said their community has ideas that could inspire other towns and cities. In Jacksonville, 82% believe it.<\/p>\n

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