Commentary Is it finally time to acknowledge broadband as a utility? 17th August 2021 Apparently, 75 percent of Americans think so. A recent study published by Consumer Reports—Survey on Broadband Affordability, Accessibility, and Quality of Service in the United States—showed a dramatic shift from previous years’ surveys. Over three-quarters of U.S. residents now view home internet as a basic necessity with a similar share of respondents voicing support for […]
Commentary How local governments can prepare for the new federal broadband grants 12th August 2021 The recent infrastructure deal in the Senate increases the chances of seeing significant new, federal money being made available to states and cities to address the lack of access to affordable, high-speed broadband. In its current state, $65 billion will be made available for underserved areas in both rural and more densely populated jurisdictions. It […]
News Cybersecurity legislation included in infrastructure plan sets aside $1 billion for local governments 12th August 2021 Last month, while senators were debating the recently passed $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a ransomware attack targeting Miami-based IT security company Kaseya put at risk some 800 to 1,500 businesses. It wasn’t the first cyberattack on a U.S. company in 2021 and, if history is anything of a guide, it won’t be the last. As the global economy plunges deeper into the digital era, local municipalities are pivoting […]
News UTC Center for Urban Informatics and Progress Awarded $1.37 million grant, will create Smart Corridor+ 11th August 2021 Researchers at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s (UTC) Center for Urban Informatics and Progress (CUIP) have been awarded a $1.37 million grant from the National Science Foundation. According to UTC, the funds will create “Smart Corridor+” along a section of the existing M.L. King Boulevard Smart Corridor, a 1.2-mile stretch in downtown Chattanooga used […]
Commentary Smart city technology drives efficient disaster response and recovery 9th August 2021 From heatwave-induced wildfires in the West to unrelenting hurricanes in the Southeast, natural disasters are increasing in frequency and severity due to climate change. As evidenced in 2020’s historic year of extreme cases, totaling 22 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, we can expect this trend to continue. Today, wildfire season is longer and more […]
Commentary Application modernization is key to improving customer experience 9th August 2021 The pandemic exposed critical gaps in the government’s ability to efficiently deliver essential services in a time of crisis. In addition, aging applications and IT infrastructure presented formidable challenges when scaling to meet the demand for both services and information. As the world moves steadily toward complete reopening, how have citizens’ needs changed, what lessons […]
Commentary Decentralized wastewater treatment systems projected to become more common as droughts persist 5th August 2021 Last month, the Hoover Dam’s reservoir at the border of Nevada and Arizona sunk to its lowest recorded level ever—a visible sign that the southwestern United States is heading toward what scientists call a “megadrought.” There’s no sign of it letting up anytime soon. “This appears to be just the beginning of a more extreme trend toward […]
Commentary Increased demand for affordable housing requires integrated solutions 5th August 2021 Automated and timely data can help housing authorities meet the need and manage backlogs The shortage of affordable housing was exacerbated by the pandemic, and even with a new eviction moratorium from the Centers for Disease Control in place through October, continued pressure on public and affordable housing organizations is expected. Cities and states have […]
Commentary New research underscores upside of modernizing local government technology 3rd August 2021 As in the private sector, the wheels of city and local governments are powered increasingly by technology. Already, according to a recent survey conducted of global IT decision makers, tech is used to respond to citizen or “customer” needs in half of government/public sector interactions. More than half (55 percent) of survey respondents in the […]
Renewables surpass coal as America’s second most prevalent energy source 3rd August 2021 With technological advancements over the last decade driving innovation in the green energy sector, renewables are now the second most prevalent energy source in the United States. According to the United States Energy Information Administration’s 2020 report, “Renewables surpassed both nuclear (790 billion kilowatt hours) and coal (774 billion kilowatt hours) for the first time on record. This outcome […]
Supercharge your ERP: How ERPs and Purpose-Built Solutions Work Together to Future-Proof Your Digital Strategy 15th May 2023
Mechanizing the Mop: How modernized floor cleaning technologies are delivering powerful competitive advantages 25th April 2023
Mind the Development Gaps: Keep Growth on Track by Aligning Planning, Zoning, Permitting, Licensing, and Enterprise Asset Management 19th April 2023
Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina 13th October 2020
Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz. 1st July 2020
