Providing data in a clear and accessible manner aids residents and businesses seeking information, other governments looking for best practices, and broad evaluation of performance and trends. Transportation agencies, and local governments often provide varying levels of data on services, infrastructure, taxes, public safety, traffic, and many other topics. In addition, CMAP provides some types of regional data through its data sharing hub, community data snapshots, and other tools. However, access to public information is often incomplete. New technology holds the potential to help local governments both improve their public services and provide for greater transparency.

Yet many local governments lack the resources necessary to improve their technological capabilities or utilize existing technology. And for some types of data, the existence of many disparate data sources is not useful to meeting the goals of providing that data in the first place. Aggregated data about the region’s communities could help with issues that rise above jurisdictional boundaries, such as businesses making development decisions or infrastructure investments.

Action 1

Better leverage new technology, like mobile applications, reporting tools, and information systems, while continuing to modernize processes as technology evolves.

Implementers

Local governments

Action 2

Convene local governments in the region to identify best practices around improving transparency and ensuring that public information is understandable and accessible.

Implementers

Civic and professional organizations

Action 3

Pool resources with other local governments to obtain the newest technology.

Implementers

Local governments

Action 4

Continue to provide and expand geographic information system (GIS) trainings and data analysis workshops to better support local government technical expertise.

Implementers

CMAP

Action 5

Consider creating a data repository that houses data on a subregion’s communities as well as a subregion as a whole.

Implementers

Counties and Councils of Governments (COGs)

Action 6

Work with economic development agencies, stormwater agencies, and other users to ensure that the aggregated data has applicability across purposes.

Implementers

Counties and COGs