Finance

Five years later we are still feeling the effects that COVID-19 had on our staffing. Prior to the pandemic our operation had about fifteen full-time and part-time employees. Due to attrition and turnover, we are just barely functioning today with ten full-time and part-time employees. We’ve learned to function very lean, but it is not the standard we have come to pride ourselves on. It is also eating our current dedicated employees alive. We’ve hired several people to try and bring our numbers back up, but we are experiencing turnover at an unprecedented rate. Prior to the pandemic, turnover was very uncommon for our department. So, what has changed and why have we been unable to retain who we’ve hired? We currently have two full-time positions we are actively recruiting for, and we are reflecting on this very question, so the constant cycle of recruiting and hiring can hopefully end for a period of time and our service delivery can become stable once again. Here are a few thoughts we’ve had on our retention issues and how we are planning to solve those issues moving forward. Money. As a public servant, salary is expectedly lower than the private sector, but since the pandemic the gap became a chasm. We have lost several employees due to the below average wages. For the two positions we are currently recruiting for we knew we needed to pivot our compensation strategy to be competitive in today’s market. We were able to work with our compensation department to change the job titles to reflect the current needs of our operation and to compensate fairly. Expectations. We’ve had a few employees leave due to a lack of understanding of job duties. During the interview process and initial onboarding, we plan to take the approach of verbally explaining our job expectations and providing written documentation outlining the job duties and expectations. While this may not solve our retention issues, we’re hoping this will help alleviate them. Meredith Garrett, CAPP, is the Assistant Director of Public Safety, Parking & Transit Services for Kent State University. Meredith can be reached at mgarre12@kent.edu.

Paris, France, and Miami, USA – Survision, the pioneering Franco-American company specialized in automatic vehicle recognition technologies, is proud to announce a major milestone in its history: a successful Management Buy-Out (MBO) supported by the majority fund Capital Export, secured through a €25 million investment to accelerate its growth and strengthen its position as the independent leader in License Plate Recognition (LPR) and Vehicle Identification solutions. A New Chapter of Independence and Ambition This operation marks a new phase in Survision’s strategic development. With the support of Capital Export, Survision reinforces its long-standing commitment to remain independent, standing out as one of the few LPR companies not acquired by an industrial player. “This investment allows us to pursue our vision of creating a truly open, neutral, and platform-agnostic vehicle recognition ecosystem,” said Jacques Jouannais, CEO of Survision group. “Our ambition is to become a global Vehicle Recognition Platform, seamlessly compatible with any payment or mobility system.” A Strategic Move Toward Global Leadership The new funding will accelerate Survision’s AI innovation roadmap, international expansion, and the deployment of next-generation vehicle recognition technologies that power smart cities, parking , tolling and access control worldwide. In addition, this operation provides Survision with the financial strength to pursue a build-up strategy, enabling the company to acquire and integrate other key players in the mobility sector. These targeted acquisitions will reinforce Survision’s technological edge and broaden its global footprint. Capital Export’s participation brings strategic and financial expertise to support Survision’s growth, while ensuring that its entrepreneurial DNA and technological independence remain intact. Managers and Employees at the Heart of the Adventure One of the most distinctive aspects of this MBO is that Survision’s managers and some employees are now shareholders. This collective participation embodies the company’s values of unity, authenticity, and shared success. “The fact that the team is directly invested in the company’s future gives Survision an authentic and unique energy” said Charles-Antoine Eliard, Managing Partner at Capital Export. “Our role is to provide the long-term capital and strategic support that will allow Survision’s teams to fully realize their international ambitions while preserving their independence and innovation culture.” About Survision Founded in 2001, Survision is a leading provider of Vehicle Identification and License Plate Recognition (LPR) technologies serving transportation, mobility, and security industries across more than 36 countries. The company’s proprietary camera and software solutions deliver unmatched speed, accuracy, and reliability to partners in parking, access control, tolling and smart mobility ecosystems. Survision’s vision is to create a global vehicle recognition infrastructure, empowering seamless interaction between vehicles and digital services worldwide. Website: www.survisiongroup.com Press Contact: Sofia Kuhn sku@survisiongroup.com About Capital Export Capital Export is a French private equity firm dedicated to financing and supporting the international growth of small and mid-sized companies. By combining long-term capital investment with operational expertise, Capital Export helps entrepreneurs accelerate their development abroad while maintaining strategic and operational independence. More information: https://www.capital-export.fr/en

To build or not to build a parking deck? Or is the real question, do perspectives need to shift? It’s easy to say, “Build a deck! This will solve all of our parking problems!” and many times, this is the solution that frustrated students give. The question of building a parking deck has come up at our university many times over the years. I have a stack of plans that never came to fruition that I inherited. The last attempt to build a deck was in the spring of 2020. We were in the process of awarding the bid when campus closed due to COVID-19. Financial concerns and enrollment uncertainty scraped those plans, but the question of whether we will build a parking deck continues to come up. We recently received this question from our student senate in a transportation advisory committee meeting. Our university is a suburban campus with a robust public transportation option as well as ample parking on the perimeter of campus and in remote lots. We have plenty of parking spaces for everyone; we just don’t have everyone’s ideal parking area. Parking in these areas requires people to take another method of transportation, whether it’s biking, walking or taking public transportation to reach their destination. This requires a shift in perspective for many people that are not familiar with public transportation or are used to parking close to where they need to be. We explained to the student senate the costs associated with parking decks and how that would directly impact permit prices. We also explained that there is ample parking, so justifying the cost of building a deck and in turn raising permit prices is counterproductive and not fiscally responsible.

For decades, cities have relied on parking fines as static tools—anchored in tradition more than purpose. Yet as transportation networks grow more complex and streets become riskier, this status-quo approach is failing both residents and policymakers. It’s time to rethink how fines are structured so they not only influence behavior, but do so fairly and strategically. Today, fine schedules often apply harsh penalties to low-risk administrative violations while underpricing high-risk behaviors—like blocking fire hydrants—that endanger the public. This mismatch erodes trust, especially when lower-income residents face disproportionate financial hardship for infractions with minimal social impact. When penalties feel arbitrary, they are perceived less as tools for safety and more as regressive taxes. Data shows that deterrence hinges not just on penalty dollar value, but on its relevance—how well it aligns with risk, compliance value, and community context. Cities that recalibrate fines to reflect both severity and neighborhood realities can improve equity and collections while encouraging safer streets. Prioritizing smarter fine design, proportionality, and targeted enforcement could allow cities to shift away from blanket forgiveness programs—which require administrative lift without addressing root causes. Tools like dynamic pricing, location-based fines, and income-sensitive penalties can help cities strike the balance between fairness and impact. Some jurisdictions have already begun to reform fine structures: New York and Los Angeles are exploring income-based and data-driven fine optimization, respectively, while Chicago recently capped penalties for administrative violations. These efforts signal a growing recognition that fines should reinforce social value, not perpetuate inequity. By grounding enforcement in community impact, equity, and measurable outcomes, cities can treat fines as meaningful policy levers—not punishment. Matt Darst is the Head of Professional Services for Trellint, a Modaxo Company. Matt can be reached at matt.darst@trellint.com.

Milwaukee, WI – Park Loyalty, a leading provider of omnichannel enforcement and violations management solutions, announced the close of its Series A funding round led by Elephant. The investment marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth journey and will accelerate the expansion of its product portfolio, services, and implementation teams to meet growing market demand. Elephant is a venture capital firm focused on high-growth software, internet, and technology companies. With a proven track record and understanding of the parking and mobility market, Elephant stood out as a uniquely aligned partner for Park Loyalty’s long-term vision. The partnership supports Park Loyalty’s commitment to helping parking agencies modernize enforcement and move toward data-driven, transparent, and community-oriented approaches that encourage compliance and improve mobility outcomes. The funding will be used to accelerate the development of Park Loyalty’s Pro Solutions suite including Enforce Pro, Process Pro, Permit Pro, and newest addition, Rewards Pro, and to expand implementation capacity and customer support operations. “This investment validates the hard work of our entire team,” said Sriram Somanchi, Founder and CTO of Park Loyalty. “It energizes us to continue driving innovation that aligns with customer objectives.” Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Park Loyalty has rapidly become a trusted name in parking management software solutions. Over the past year, the company has expanded to 33 US states and Canada, surpassed 1,000 enforcement subscriptions and now serves more than 100 customers across municipalities, private operators, transit authorities and universities. Its platform supports the processing of over four million citations annually. Earlier this year, Park Loyalty also introduced its automated enforcement solution, marking a major step in supporting off-street and frictionless enforcement capabilities. Marc Lucey, CEO of Park Loyalty, said: “The funding is more than capital, it’s a testament to the trust our customers and investors have placed in our vision. We’re building something that makes a real impact, and this partnership will help us move even faster.”   About Park Loyalty Park Loyalty makes parking software simple. Its Pro Solutions platform delivers enforcement, processing, permitting, and rewards solutions for any type of parking agency. Park Loyalty is a leader in omnichannel enforcement, supporting operations through on-street patrolling officers, mobile LPR integration, and automated, frictionless parking facilities with citations issued as ticket-by-mail or e-citations, all seamlessly managed within the same platform. With proven rapid deployment, a growing network of integration partners, and deep industry expertise, Park Loyalty ensures that no matter how agencies manage their parking, the platform can support them. By connecting frontline enforcement with back-office processing, permit management, and customer engagement, Park Loyalty helps agencies increase efficiency, strengthen compliance, and deliver measurable results for their communities. Visit parkloyalty.com or follow Park Loyalty on LinkedIn. About Elephant Elephant is a venture capital firm focused on high-growth software, internet, and technology companies. Elephant partners with visionary entrepreneurs to help them scale and build market-leading solutions. Visit elephantvc.com.

Los Angeles, CA - Metropolis Technologies, Inc. ("Metropolis"), the leader in applied AI for the real world, announced the closing of a $1.6 billion capitalization, including a JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. arranged $1.1 billion Term Loan B and a $500 million Series D funding led by a fund managed by LionTree. The Series D values Metropolis at approximately $5B and saw participation from BDT & MSD Partners' affiliated credit funds, DFJ, Eldridge Industries, Slow Ventures, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Tekne Capital, and Vista. The financing positions the company with the institutional capital to support continued expansion into both new verticals and new markets, advancing the transformative capabilities of its real-world AI applications. Following three major acquisitions — including the 2024 take-private of SP+ and the 2025 acquisition of Oosto, a pioneer in AI-powered biometrics — Metropolis has built an unparalleled foundation for growth. Metropolis processes more than $5 billion in annual transaction volume at 4,200-plus locations and is growing, with over one million new Members joining per month. These strategic moves have expanded the company's capabilities in and out of the vehicle, across fueling, retail, mobility, hospitality, and office. "With this new capital, we're continuing to scale our platform and forge the foundation of the Recognition Economy, building a new paradigm for how AI is deployed in the real world," said Alex Israel, CEO and co-founder of Metropolis. "As one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the United States, Metropolis is transforming how people move and transact in the physical world. We're eliminating friction and repetition and creating recognition at scale for nearly 20 million Members. As we deploy our technology into retail, hospitality and fueling, Metropolis will go beyond just processing transactions by embedding speed and simplicity into everyday experiences." Metropolis is leading the Recognition Economy, a new age of personalized intelligence where presence replaces devices and credentials as the foundation for a more intuitive, connected and human world. It's founded on a new era of intelligent infrastructure, where the physical world recognizes presence and context, learning and adapting in real time. It replaces friction with recognition, turning everyday actions into seamless, personalized, automated experiences. "Metropolis is demonstrating that AI can be thoughtfully commercialized at real-world scale," said Ramin Arani, Head of Investments at LionTree. "From mobility to retail and hospitality, Alex and his team are developing innovative solutions as part of a generational opportunity to create an enduring, smarter environment for consumers. We're excited by the Metropolis team's success to date and look forward to supporting the next phase of their growth." "When we partnered with Metropolis in 2022, Alex and his team were leveraging AI to transform the parking industry into the foundation for a more modern, seamless built environment," said Todd Boehly, Chairman of Eldridge Industries. "Over the last few years, their vision has achieved remarkable scale, expanding across multiple industries to now reach nearly 20 million members. Metropolis exhibits exponential potential as the Company utilizes AI to reshape how people and businesses interact with the physical world." Over the past 12 months, the company expanded beyond parking, leveraging its technology to new use cases in and out of the vehicle — anywhere that personalization is needed. Through partnerships with retailers, asset owners and real estate partners, Metropolis is working alongside the world's most influential brands to build an intelligent infrastructure layer. Transformative partnerships in refueling and quick-serve restaurants are now paving a clear path to hotels, retail environments, stadiums and more, to build a world where infrastructure recognizes you, moves with you, predicts your needs, and most significantly, saves time. ADVISORS BDT & MSD Partners, LLC served as exclusive financial advisor and Fenwick & West LLP served as legal advisor to Metropolis. JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. served as the sole and exclusive Administrative Agent, and JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, and PNC Capital Markets LLC served as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners for the Term Loan B. Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal advisor to LionTree. Sidley Austin LLP served as legal advisor to Eldridge Industries. ABOUT METROPOLIS Metropolis is an artificial intelligence company for the real world. Its Computer Vision platform eliminates friction from daily life, powers checkout-free payments and unlocks seamless, predictive and personalized experiences everywhere consumers transact. Metropolis is pioneering the Recognition Economy, transforming physical spaces into responsive environments with an Intelligence Layer that understands presence, anticipates needs and personalizes moments. Leveraging AI, Metropolis' platform understands, adapts and responds to Members in real time. Adding more than 1 million Members each month, it is one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the United States and envisions a future where transacting in the real world is even easier than online. Following its take-private acquisition of SP+, Metropolis is now the largest parking network in the United States, with 4,200+ locations and operations in 40 countries worldwide. Its proprietary AI technology touches 50 million customers and processes over $5 billion in payments annually. To learn more, please visit www.metropolis.io. ABOUT LIONTREE LionTree is a differentiated global investment and merchant banking firm focused on media, technology, telecom and the consumer sectors. Founded in 2012, LionTree works across offices in New York, San Francisco, London and Tel Aviv to serve clients and community through strategic M&A, capital raising, and investments across the globe that capture opportunity and provide best-in-class execution. The firm leverages its unique insight and relationships across its integrated Client Advocacy, Merchant Banking, Institutional Investor Membership (IIM) and LT Growth focus areas to connect clients with the tailored ideas, actionable opportunities and resources that drive results. Since its formation, the firm has advised on over $900 billion in transactions by bringing capital together with ideas, investing in and alongside its relationships to accelerate growth and innovation. ABOUT ELDRIDGE INDUSTRIES Eldridge Industries invests in businesses across the Infrastructure, Technology, Mobility, Culture, and Luxury & Lifestyle landscapes. The firm seeks to build and grow businesses led by proven management teams that have demonstrated leadership and experience to scale an enterprise. Eldridge Industries has offices in Miami, Greenwich, Beverly Hills, New York, and London. To learn more about Eldridge Industries, please visit eldridgeind.com. SOURCE Metropolis

How Parking & Mobility Leaders Can Help Startups Thrive

Most travelers may know that flying out of their local airport helps create demand for airlines, which can lead to more routes and destinations. Many also understand that purchasing food, drinks, or gifts at the airport supports local jobs and drives demand for more concession options. What some may not realize, however, is the significant role that onsite airport parking plays in helping an airport grow—both financially and operationally. Non-Aeronautical Revenue For most airports, parking is the largest single source of non-aeronautical revenue, often accounting for 20–40% of that total. This revenue is critical—it helps fund new runways and taxiways, terminal upgrades, facility maintenance, and infrastructure improvements. It also reduces reliance on airline fees, making the airport more attractive to carriers and encouraging more flight options for travelers. Competitive Advantage and Passenger Convenience Convenient, well-managed parking attracts more travelers and encourages repeat visits. It builds brand loyalty and keeps passengers parking onsite rather than offsite or choosing alternative transportation. Since parking is often a traveler’s first and last interaction with the airport, a smooth experience enhances overall satisfaction and strengthens the airport’s reputation. In turn, this supports higher passenger traffic, attracts new airline routes, and drives spending in retail and dining areas. Encouraging Off-Peak Travel Accessible onsite parking also supports off-peak travel. When travelers know they can park easily for early morning or late-night flights, they’re more likely to book those times. This helps airlines optimize schedules, reduces congestion, and spreads airport activity more evenly throughout the day. More Than Just a Parking Spot Choosing to park onsite isn’t only about convenience—it’s an investment in your airport’s future. Onsite parking provides easy access to terminals, added security, and a smoother overall travel experience. At the same time, the revenue it generates helps fund improvements that benefit every passenger. So next time you fly, consider parking onsite—not just for your own peace of mind, but to help support your airport’s continued growth, efficiency, and service to the community. Vincent Campagna, PTMP, is a Manager, Parking & Ground Transportation for Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Vincent can be reached at vcampagna@mitchellairport.com.

How Cities Can Maximize Revenue Without Raising Rates

Rezcomm, the global leader in modular ecommerce solutions for parking, travel, and public infrastructure, has been awarded a national cooperative procurement contract by the League of Oregon Cities, enabling public-serving agencies to purchase Rezcomm’s platform directly through NPPGov, one of the largest cooperative purchasing networks in the United States. The contract provides pre-approved access to Rezcomm’s full suite of ecommerce, CRM, and analytics tools - streamlining procurement and accelerating digital transformation for eligible organizations across all 50 U.S. states. “This contract is a milestone in Rezcomm’s expansion across North America,” said Marc Ive, CEO of Rezcomm. “It makes it easier than ever for public-serving organizations to access future-ready digital tools while remaining fully compliant with procurement regulations. We’re proud to support municipalities, airports, and civic venues as they modernize operations and deliver better services to the communities they serve.” Faster procurement through NPPGov NPPGov offers publicly solicited contracts that meet the highest compliance and competitive bidding standards. Membership is free, and any eligible public agency, such as cities, counties, airports, universities, and healthcare providers, can “piggyback” on existing contracts to avoid delays and reduce administrative overhead. “Our mission at NPPGov is to simplify procurement for public agencies, and this partnership with Rezcomm delivers exactly that,” said Bill DeMars, Executive Director at NPPGov. “We’re excited to welcome Rezcomm to our contract portfolio, giving agencies fast access to a proven platform with the power to transform public services.”  What the contract covers Through the League of Oregon Cities contract, NPPGov members gain access to Rezcomm’s all-in-one booking and engagement platform, including: Parking & Reservations: Online booking for parking, lounges, fast track, EV charging, events, and more Revenue Optimization: Dynamic pricing and yield tools powered by real-time analytics CRM & Marketing Automation: Personalized experiences, first-party data capture, and loyalty programs Operational Automation: Predictive AI, automated messaging, and real-time notifications Compliance & Resilience: Hosted on AWS with certified data protection, privacy, and uptime standards Included Support: Onboarding, training, and 24/7 helpdesk - at no additional cost Expert Team Access: Data analysts, marketers, revenue and operational specialists to drive success Rezcomm is already trusted by some of the world’s busiest airports and public operators, delivering secure, scalable technology for mission-critical environments. Why it matters This cooperative purchasing agreement is designed to eliminate procurement friction and support rapid innovation for public sector leaders. Key benefits include: No RFP Required – Contract is competitively solicited and ready to activate Nationwide Eligibility – Approved for use in all 50 U.S. states Fully Compliant – Meets public procurement and audit requirements No Membership Fee – Free to join NPPGov Faster Go-Live – Services can be launched in weeks, not months Whether managing city parking, operating an airport, or expanding public amenities, Rezcomm offers a streamlined route to modernization - without compromising procurement governance. What happens next The contract is now live. Agencies can activate access immediately and begin working with Rezcomm’s dedicated team of onboarding specialists, marketers, data analysts, and revenue experts. To learn more or to activate the contract, visit: https://info.rezcomm.com/nppgov About Rezcomm Your customers expect joined-up services. With Rezcomm Marketplace, your platform delivers exactly that - seamless, personalized experiences across digital and physical touchpoints. Originally built for airports, Rezcomm now powers travel hubs of all kinds. Our modular, AI-driven platform combines ecommerce, CRM, reservations, BI, and marketing. By giving organizations full data ownership and rich predictive analytics, Rezcomm helps them personalize every interaction, automate operations, and unlock new revenue at scale. Rezcomm supports clients globally and holds industry-leading certifications, including PCI DSS Level 1 Version 4.0 and Cyber Essentials Plus. Learn more at rezcomm.com. For press or partnership enquiries, contact Sarah Tull, Director of Communications, at sarah.tull@rezcomm.com.

Understanding and navigating the complex funding and finances of parking, transportation, and mobility operations is critical.

Funding and Finance for Parking & Mobility