Civic Tech

At Bloomberg CityLab 2022 this week, local leaders from around the globe came together to define the role of digital innovation for cities and how a solution-centered approach to technology can make its impact sustainable.

Volkswagen has modified its ID.4 model with a number of enhancements to allow TVA personnel to use the vehicle for its drone response team that helps inspect and maintain more than 16,000 miles of transmission lines.

Plus, NTIA has announced grantees through the Connecting Minority Communities program, broadband-related legislation has been introduced, Connect Maryland applications are open, and much more.

Cook County, Ill., is using a technology platform created collaboratively through a partnership with GiveDirectly and AidKit to distribute guaranteed incomes to more than 3,200 residents in need.

Eric Schmidt’s philanthropic organization has launched a program meant to spark innovation for access to benefits for low-income residents. Funding, technical help and partnerships are all part of the effort.

More than 132,000 households in the state lack access to broadband. Some 29 towns, six school districts and four of the 10 tribal territories in the state have less than half of their residences with access to broadband.

A new tool from the Pittsburgh Office of Management and Budget aims to make data on budget decisions more transparent, as one of many efforts the city has undertaken to make data more accessible to the public.

In July, the Kokomo Police Department and Howard County Sheriff's Office each launched new apps to help the agencies better communicate with area residents, and officials say the technology is already paying off.

The non-wired alternative project, which is the first of its kind for utility provider National Grid, will focus on the construction of a new solar-plus-storage facility at the Coffeen Street substation.

As broadband expansion efforts increase nationwide, digital equity advocates are working to ensure that urban communities are included. New federal funding opportunities are adding fuel to these efforts.

The city of Mobile is launching a new smartphone texting service to help residents get information about events, projects and services on their mobile phones. It can also answer questions 24 hours a day.

Fresno’s “hard to reach” business owners will soon have new direct access to streamlined — as well as language-appropriate — online business support from the city’s municipal government.

In partnership with one.network, the Florida Department of Transportation is piloting a new technology solution that aims to improve work zone safety throughout the state's highway network with real-time updates.

The audit considered wireless devices to include cellphones, wireless Internet air cards and GPS tracking devices, finding that Syracuse, N.Y., was charged $292,647 over a six-year span for devices that were never used.

Around 19,000 homes and businesses in Ashland, Meads, Catlettsburg and surrounding parts of Boyd County are set to be equipped for high-speed Internet service, officials announced Monday.

Wi-Fi hot spots have become a technological lifeline for Seattle residents without consistent access to services of their own. The program, which started in 2015, allows anyone with a library card to use the devices for 21 days.

The St. Louis, Mo., public library system is adding 8,000 new wireless Internet hot spots and 1,500 Chromebooks for city patrons who don't have high-speed Internet or computer access at home.

In designing digital products for constituents — like websites and mobile apps — government agencies should consider implementing plain language to increase accessibility and improve the overall user experience.