Georgia’s Cities met with Susan Miller, Georgia’s Geospatial Information Officer (GIO), to learn more about geospatial data and how it impacts cities. Geospatial information refers to any digital data containing location-based information, which is at the core of nearly all government functions. According to Miller, local, regional and state governments in Georgia use geospatial data to keep track of properties, roads, public works, environmental resources and more within their jurisdictions.
GC: What does the Georgia GIO do?
SM: Our passion for improving quality of life through geography is at the heart of everything we do. Geospatial sciences and technologies inspire and enable every level of government to save money, lives and our environment through a deeper understanding of the changing world around us. Proper use of high-quality geospatial data enables informed planning, public policy and decision-making, which function together to improve the overall safety and economic prosperity of the State of Georgia and its citizens.
The Geospatial Information Office improves statewide access to the most current geospatial data and facilitates cross-jurisdictional coordination, decreasing data acquisition and creation costs through the realization of economies of scale. Our coordinated approach to data development also maximizes governmental efficiency through the standardization of data, which enables multi-jurisdictional interoperability to better drive economic development and responses to natural disasters, for example.
In doing so, the Geospatial Information Office plays a key role in promoting the safety and economic vibrancy of all Georgia communities, while advancing the current administration’s goals to maximize taxpayer value by leveraging technology to best utilize state resources.
GC: What are some GIO projects currently underway that could benefit cities?
SM: There is the Statewide Esri Master Purchasing Agreement, a streamlined way for cities to purchase Esri products and services at a reduced rate (15 percent off ) and without having to do an RFP or sole justification. We also offer the Statewide Imagery Program. Only available for governmental entities, this six-inch imagery is something that only the wealthiest governments have previously been able to acquire. In addition, the statewide Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) program can easily measure elevation and height and is a versatile tool that allows the same datasets to be used for multiple purposes and by multiple users. The GIO conservatively estimates annual benefits of $8.5 million to the top 10 business uses of LiDAR in Georgia.
GC: What are some practical applications of spatial information (GIS) for local government management and policymaking?
SM: GIS data provides a wealth of information for local decision making in areas including strategic growth and land use, energy, water and utilities, healthcare and human services, emergency response and homeland security, and agriculture.
GC: How can I support the continued work of the GIO to update imagery?
SM: The GIO welcomes comments from city officials about the value of imagery to your local government. Feedback can be submitted online at
gio.ga.gov/ success-stories/. The GIO relies on annual state legislative appropriations to keep imagery fresh, so talk with your legislator about how spatial data is beneficial to your city and the importance of state funding to support this vital program.
High-resolution, accurate aerial imagery is valuable to public works departments as a “backdrop” to utility information traditionally stored in CAD and GIS programs. For more information on GIO’s State Imagery Program visit:
gio.ga.gov/state-imagery-program.
This article appears in the January/February 2020 edition of
Georgia’s Cities Magazine.