Middle Georgia RDC | Information Technology News

Information Technology Department

The Middle Georgia Regional Commission provides Information Technology (IT) services to its member governments in the areas of GIS mapping analysis, GPS data collection, multi-media development, graphical design, and printing. The local governments in Middle Georgia made extensive use of MGRC IT services during FY 2008. The following provides more detail about some of the IT project initiatives undertaken last year.

Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA)

2010 LUCA was a federal program, developed by the U.S. Census Bureau, to provide local governments with an avenue to review and update the master address database and population maps that will be used to conduct the 2010 decennial census. The program was designed to increase the accuracy of the population counts for local governments. Accurate population counts affect grant eligibility and congressional representation--both of which are important to local governments.

In FY 2008, the MGRC used a combination of GIS and other information technology services to assist each of its member governments with completing the 2010 LUCA program. Following are examples of the LUCA assistance provided:

Served as the official liaison between its member governments and the U.S. Census Bureau;
Conducted a series of training workshops from October 2007 to January 2008 on LUCA program options;
Completed and submitted LUCA participation packets to the U.S Census Bureau;
Acquired, compiled, and integrated local address lists from each community into one local master address database;
Used GIS and SQL scripting to address-match and edit each local master address database into acceptable U.S. Census Bureau formats; and
Submitted local master address databases and worked with the U.S. Census Bureau staff to perform post-processing and quality control services.

GIS Mapping

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a technology that combines the visualization power of a computer map with the analysis and reporting capabilities of a relational database. The digital spatial data analysis of GIS is an emerging tool used by local officials to aid their decision-making process. In FY 2008, numerous member governments took advantage of the GIS mapping and data analysis services offered by the MGRC.

Following are some examples of GIS Mapping and Analysis projects:

A population density and land availability map to assist Wilkinson County officials with locating potential sites for a new emergency services headquarters ;
Digital spatial analysis services for the City of Macon in the following areas: annexation maps, demographic analyses, site locations, and property inventory maps;
Tax parcel (property line) maintenance and update services using coordinate geometry data input techniques for Baldwin, Pulaski, and Putnam Counties;
Large format land use and zoning maps using professional quality cartographic standards for the City of Gordon;
Numerous economic development-based map products for the Macon Economic Development Commission (MEDC) showing demographic statistics, available lots, and existing building structures for industrial parks in Bibb County; and
A series of large format maps and map booklets showing the existing transportation grid of Crawford County to be used by the public safety entities serving the county.

GPS Collection

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based data collection technology that enables users to accurately map and inventory geographic features on the ground. Data collected using GPS equipment can be directly imported into a GIS database and used to update maps.

The MGRC is an active user of GPS technology. GPS services provided by the MGRC include the collection and map inventory of infrastructure utilities, road centerlines, bridges, building footprints, environmental features, and community facilities. In addition, the MGRC provides training to local officials on the operation and use of GPS equipment.

In FY 2008, the MGRC completed a GPS inventory of all railroad crossings in Middle Georgia for the Georgia Department of Transportation Office of Traffic Data.

Multimedia Development

The MGRC provides multimedia development services to member governments in the areas of web site development, digital media publishing, and custom programming. Web sites are developed for communities to market and disseminate information over the Internet. Reports and other documents are published digitally to CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and other paperless media formats. The MGRC provides custom programming services to develop specialized software applications for local governments in the areas of asset and inventory management.

Following are examples of multimedia-based projects undertaken in FY 2008:

Macon - Bibb County Planning & Zoning web portal
- http://www.maconbibbpz.org
Crawford County Web Site
- http://www.crawfordcountyga.org
Well and Septic Tank Referencing and Online Mapping
- http://216.128.199.77
Project GANO Neighborhood Assessment (Fort Valley)
- Project GANO CD-ROM

Graphics Design and Printing

The MGRC provides a wide variety of professional graphics design and printing/reproduction services. Professional graphics editing software is used to create logos, letterhead, large-format presentations, and other graphical display elements. Print shop services such as reproduction, printing, and folding are also provided.

During FY 2008, the MGRC provided the following graphics services:

Digitized the official logo for the Putnam County Planning and Development Department into a vector-based graphics format. Vector-based graphics are very versatile because they can be re-sized without loss of pixel resolution.
Created several large format presentation-style checks for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The presentation-style checks are used during federal grant award ceremonies.

Docs

MTA Transit Routes [ZIP - 21mb]