Economic development using AM/FM/GIS data

The use of GIS data to promote economic development
One rule of economic development is that: “Economic Development follows Infrastructure” Today, utilities and local governments are maintaining vast amounts of AM/FM/GIS infrastructure data, so it is logical that this GIS data is an important resource to promote economic development activities. The proliferation of WindowsTM-based PCs and the availability of low-cost and easy-to-use Desktop GIS and GIS Viewer/Browser software is enabling GIS data to become a mainstream asset as it becomes more widely available for a larger number of uses and users.

What are some of the benefits of using GIS data to assist in economic development? For the local government, the use of GIS data in all aspects of decision making affecting the environment, infrastructure improvements, service delivery, public safety, as well as economic development are important. Some specific examples include:

help coordinate development activities through use of a common / shared digital map base
help balance the demand of land for both traditional and new uses within a region
help capitalize on any inherent competitive advantage, such as existing commercial/industrial land resources, a key transportation corridor, availability of natural resources, etc... within the region

For utilities, the use of GIS data for economic development can provide a competitive advantage by:

becoming more competitive in responding to requests for information (improved customer service)
targeting marketing areas
targeting siting decisions
promoting the GIS data as a strategic resource to encourage businesses to locate in your area

From the customers perspective, the availability and use of GIS data by these organizations results in:

speeds up the planning process
help businesses locate land well suited to their needs
quickly identi~ land with available infrastructure capacity
quickly identi~ land with lower infrastructure development costs
investigate more potential sites with the same resources
spend less time searching for data and more time analyzing and making better decisions
sends a “development friendly” message to prospective customers

GIS data for economic development
Building GIS base data to meet the engineering, operations and maintenance needs of a local government or utility often develops a solid base of infrastructure data for use in economic development. Usable GIS vector graphics can range from a simple street centerline address range base map for geocoding properties, to engineering-detailed mapping of infrastructure, cultural features, topography, administrative boundaries, land use, and zoning data. Digital orthophotography and terrestrial photography when available are valuable data components to the economic development process.

Report or tabular data is also an important component to the process. Report data maybe related to an area and not necessarily to specific geocoded locations. Information on population housing, income, employment, growth, trends, etc... are important to the process. Obviously, having this data geocoded within a GIS can offer significant pinpoint demographics to facilitate the planning process, but geocoding is not mandatory to facilitate the process.

Economic development case studies

City of Indianapolis

Downtown Corridor Improvement Project
GIS Data Public Distribution

Illinois Power Company

Improved Customer Service using GIS data
Shared Land Base (local government cooperates to develop and maintain a common GIS land base.