Metro Nashville ITS Department Receives National Recognition for Implementation of Enterprise-wide GIS

The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Department of Information Technology Services' (ITS) implementation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) across Metro government to improve government efficiency and increase residents' access to information is receiving national recognition from industry leaders. ITS was recently awarded the prestigious "Enterprise Approach to GIS" award at the 2024 Esri Public Sector CIO Summit. The Enterprise Approach to GIS recognizes a CIO and their organization who led a significant digital transformation of a project, department, or organization using GIS as a foundation.

GIS is a powerful technology framework that integrates, manages, analyzes, and visualizes geographic and spatial data. By combining location-based information with various types of data, GIS enables users to assess real-world problems, identify trends, manage and plan resources, and implement solutions in a wide range of applications. A few marquee tools built by Metro's GIS team include Parcel Viewer, Development Tracker and NashDigs. Additionally, ITS's GIS team has recently developed the Davidson County Digital Inclusion Map and District Data Dashboard. From enhancing public safety and improving urban planning to optimizing transportation routes and supporting environmental conservation, GIS provides invaluable insights that help organizations and governments make informed decisions, improve operational efficiency, and better serve their communities. Check out NashvilleMaps, to find the many interactive and static maps that Nashville has to offer.

"In addition to highlighting the GIS team, this award is a testament to the visionary planning, implementation, and hard work of the entire ITS team who made it possible, as well as the departmental partners across Metro Government that we serve," said Metro Nashville Chief Information Officer and Director of Information Technology Services Keith Durbin. "We are proud of our work to implement this tool to support the work of our departments and increase access to the Metro Government for our residents."

Jack Dangermond, the founder and President of Esri, personally presented the award, recognizing Metro Nashville's GIS program as a leading example of GIS excellence among local governments nationwide. The award was graciously accepted on behalf of ITS by Director Durbin and ITS Assistant Director Colleen Herndon.

The event also featured a presentation by Director Durbin and Assistant Director Herndon, showcasing the innovative work and progress of Nashville's GIS program. The program traces its roots to the creation of a GIS section within the Planning Department in 2000. The GIS program moved into the ITS department in 2019 and was then established as an enterprise service, allowing a strategic approach to providing GIS services across Metro's departments and agencies.

The ITS Department is committed to leading the delivery of exceptional technology, service and solutions for Nashville and Davidson County's government operations through a team of over 170 dedicated IT professionals. Visit ITS at its.nashville.gov.