Regions Elect to Employ E-Government

By Kelly Novak, Research Manager, NADO Research Foundation

The presence of electronic government or “e-government” in America is rapidly increasing. According to a recent study by the Pew Internet and American Life project, an estimated 68 million Americans have used government websites and 60 percent of those who use government websites said that the process has improved government interaction.

In accordance with the Pew findings, regional development organizations are also planning for and implementing e-government projects and initiatives to expand local governmental services. The new e-government services that regional development organizations are providing range from offering online building permits to grant applications to medicare information, all of which are allowing local government services to be more accessible, responsive, community-driven, results-oriented and market-based.

This collage of historic buildings in Brazos Valley can be found on the first page of the website www.bvcog.org.

Online One-Stop in Texas

The Brazos Valley Council of Governments, an EDA-funded district in Texas, took a high-tech approach to offering accurate workforce service information when they co-sponsored the TexasOne Online Social Services for Workforce Development. Tom Wilkinson, Brazos Valley COG’s Executive Director said, “Through local partnering, we were able to identify service delivery gaps and develop a community-driven process for workforce client referrals.”

The project developed a website, www.texasone.com, giving individuals an online opportunity to search and apply for employment services. The searches are made easy using keywords from program names, counties or service categories and online applications are offered. Program staff can log on to the “program” side of TexasOne and consult with applicants about forwarding their application to other programs for additional services. All actions performed online are secure and a Spanish language version is an access option.

Online Building Permits in Georgia

In 2000, the City of Valdosta, Georgia’s construction community and city manager asked the South Georgia Regional Development Center (South Georgia RDC) information technology department to build an electronic permit system. South Georgia RDC, an EDA-funded district, responded by creating the E-Commerce Building Permit System.

The electronic banner of the Valdosta, Georgia website www.valdostacity.com.

The building permit system gives contractors and citizens the opportunity to save hours normally spent waiting in lines to purchase building, electrical, sprinkler, mechanical and plumbing permits, by logging on to www.valdostacity.com and completing a virtual city hall application. Once the permit is approved or denied, a notice is sent to the applicant who may pay via credit card or electronic check. Permits can then be printed at the home or office.

W. Vance Roberts, South Georgia RDC’s Information Technology Director noted, “The work was completed on an actual cost basis. The system has been very cost effective and convenient for the city and the county. We are creating more online services, including an online utility billing payment system.”

For more information contact: the Pew Internet and American Life Project 202/296.0019 or visit www.pewinternet.org; John Leonard or W. Vance Roberts at South Georgia RDC, 229/242-1988, email vroberts@sgrdc.com or visit www.sgrdc.com; Tom Wilkinson at Brazos Valley Development COG, 979/775-4244, email twilkinson@bvcog.org or visit www.bvcog.org

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