Have a great idea for an app? The City of Ottawa wants to know about it.

As part of its Open Data project the City of Ottawa is holding an Apps4Ottawa contest for the best apps in the following categories: Having Fun in Ottawa; Getting Around; Green Environment/Sustainability; Community Building; and, Economic Development. What’s in it for you? Well it’s a contest you see and there is $50,000 in prize money to be won ($5000 for the best app).

The downside to this is that the contest is only open to residents of Ontario.

All the information can be found on the Apps4Ottawa website.

I hope this kind of thing catches on, not only does it help people understand their city better, I bet the next big thing could could out of it.