Plotting the locations of numerous geological features, demographic information, transportation options and other data sets became more accessible with the recent launch of Michigan's Department of Technology, Management and Budget's (DTMB) GIS Open Data website.
Governor Rick Snyder has made it a priority to make state of Michigan data and information more accessible for government, business and public use. Executive Directive 2013-1 enhanced information-sharing between state departments, opening the door for user-friendly applications that allow citizens to find information from across state government in one place.
"This new site is a key piece of our overall efforts to make information open and available to citizens," explained DTMB Director David Behen. "The coordination and sharing of data from multiple agencies and levels of government is a great step forward in achieving Governor Snyder's transparency goals. Pulling it all together in one place will improve the overall experience for everyone."
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide location components to information, allowing the data to be represented geographically. This new site can be used to browse, search, preview and download a variety of Michigan geospatial data sets and view them on a map.
Open access to accurate and current geospatial data is critical in decisions on economic development, natural resources, public safety, environment, health and human services, transportation and tourism.
One example of a practical use is the ability to easily cross-reference jurisdictional boundaries with transportation networks and workforce demographics. This functionality will support businesses looking to expand or re-locate in the state, allowing them to customize data for their unique business needs.
The GIS Open Data portal will continue to improve over time as more information is uploaded to the site from state agencies, local municipalities and other verified sources. The site can be accessed at www.michigan.gov/openmichigan.
Published: Thu, Jun 11, 2015
