Strengthening GIS Programs Will Enhance Citizen Services across the State

Redlands, California — September 30, 2010 — The Georgia Association of Regional Commissions (GARC) has signed an enterprise license agreement ( ELA) with Esri to secure unlimited access to ArcGIS software. GARC works to advance the efforts of the state's 12 regional commissions, which serve local governments across the state. The ELA will help GARC members better meet geographic information system (GIS) technology needs in counties, cities, and towns, resulting in improved services for citizens.

"I think this is one of the biggest landmark decisions that the executive directors of the Georgia Association of Regional Commissions has made in its existence because it not only helps the regional commissions, it helps all the citizens in the state of Georgia, collectively," said Chris Chalmers, GIS/IT committee chairman, GARC. "In the economic times we find ourselves in, improving the quality of service to our local governments is not only the goal of each regional commission but also the Georgia Association of Regional Commission's main goal."

With broader access to current ArcGIS software, GARC members will update and improve many GIS workflows and applications. For example, individual commissions will begin replicating data with one another for better contingency planning. If a hurricane damages the Coastal Regional Commission systems, commission leaders will be able to access their data immediately via the Middle Georgia Regional Commission GIS.

"Our GIS committee is outstanding; we are fortunate to have some of the finest individuals involved," said Danny Lewis, GARC president. "They recommended the ELA to our executive directors, and there was never a question that the benefits would be exactly what the State of Georgia needed to succeed. I applaud those who advocated this initiative—it exemplifies what is expected of the regional commission leaders in Georgia. We think the sky is the limit as to what we can accomplish."

For more information on Esri ELAs, visit www.esri.com/ela.

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