Civic Tech

The Indiana Management Performance Hub has played a key role in the state’s data-driven pandemic response strategy, as well as helping the state center data in its overall approach to governing.

All city technology agencies will now operate under the Office of Technology and Innovation, overseen by Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser. Fraser took over the CTO position earlier this month.

Plus, Missouri names a new director for the state's Office of Broadband Development, a grant in the San Francisco area aims to expand digital skills training for incarcerated individuals, and more.

Plus, the public comment period is now open for the broadband programs within the new infrastructure bill; Maine has named the first leader for its broadband authority; and a New Jersey city works on digital inclusion.

The state of New Mexico built a cloud-based platform during the pandemic to support the Department of Finance and Administration’s management of grants and funds from the emergency rental assistance program.

The New York City Department of Correction has increased the use of tablets since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to help offer information and resources to the individuals in custody within its facilities.

Plus, Iowa awards more than $200 million in federal broadband grant funding to rural communities; New York City puts out the call for Open Data Week civic tech programming proposals; and more.

The recently released 2021 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence analysis highlights the way states are using data to protect residents, speed economic recovery and improve equity.

The local farm-sales platform, called Healthy PlanEat, was originally the brainchild of East Lyme, Conn., native Rosemary Ostfeld, who teaches sustainable agriculture at Wesleyan University.

Plus, USDA invests in rural infrastructure, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute extends digital equity programs, and appointments are made to the Texas Broadband Development Office Board of Advisors.

More than half of all law enforcement agencies utilize body cameras to improve public trust and safety. Research shows that body cameras have positive behavioral impacts on both officers and citizens.

In 2022, the city of Dublin, Ohio, plans to unveil its digital identity project that allows users to confirm their residency, respond to custom surveys and earn “Dublin Points” through a centralized app.

Plus, apply for a job with the New York City Digital Service, Virginia announces more than $700 million in broadband connection grants, new data visualization shows innovations in cities spending federal money and more.

Bloomberg Philanthropies awarded 10 more U.S. cities with What Works Cities Certifications for their use of data and evidence to inform decision-making. The total number of U.S. cities certified since 2017 is now 50.

As local and state governments gear up for federal stimulus dollars, the firm is releasing software that allows members of the public to rank budgeting choices against each other to show where their priorities lie.

The National League of Cities last week released its Digital Equity Playbook, which offers information, case studies and strategies to help local government leaders in their digital equity work.

Plus, Illinois Tech team develops environmentally sound digital currency; the National League of Cities unveils a new digital equity playbook; Washington approves $44.6 million of broadband grants; and more.

A Pittsburgh city staffer took it upon himself and his dog, Porter, to map the city’s recreation areas on their daily walks. With a GPS unit in tow, the pair created an open data portal residents can use to find trails.