CT State Agencies

The Office of Policy and Management identified 15 agencies as using, producing, or distributing GIS data or related mapping resources in support of the agencies’ missions. The range of expertise, capabilities, and needs varies widely, and in the case of larger agencies, it’s possible for there to be multiple bureaus, divisions, or units under the same high-level leadership but with vastly differing capacity and needs for GIS. At the end of the day, the overall findings were clear: there is a largely unmet need for adequate, capable staffing, paired with standardized, centralized and easily accessible framework datasets. GIS data and technology continue to grow as a fundamental need that is integral to an efficient and effective government in an ever competitive 21st century economy.

“A centralized GIS department or funded entity would be extremely beneficial to all interested parties within and outside of the state agencies.” DEEP 

Suggestions/Needs for CT

  1. Almost every state agency described a need for a centralized, accessible “hub” or “clearinghouse” for all geospatial datasets.
  2. Expand the role of UConn’s CT ECO as a provider of web-based viewers, tools, applications, and hosting very large, high-value framework datasets.
  3. Create a dedicated, well-funded GIS program for regular, scheduled acquisition of high-value framework GIS datasets.
  4. Work with state employee unions and the Department of Administrative Services to change job classifications and compensation to be a more competitive employer and do a better job of targeting GIS talent
  5. Offer regular training to state agencies concerning GIS technology.

State Agency GIS Strengths

  • State agencies work more efficiently and effectively when GIS is used to aid location-based responsibilities, such as highway planning or emergency response.
  • State agencies are the authoritative source of myriad geospatial datasets of high value to corporations, small businesses, education, public services, and average citizens.
  • State agencies employ GIS to solve problems and perform locational data analytics that would otherwise need to be contracted out to private entities, typically at a higher cost to taxpayers.
  • GIS-supported visualizations (maps) allow for policymakers and lawmakers to interpret and digest locational information in a manner that promotes better-informed policy on a variety of issues.
Agency   Dedicated GIS Staff Main use
CAES Agricultural Experiment Station 0 Forest health, wildlife, pest outbreaks
CSL

Connecticut State Library 0

 Index, preserve, provide historic aerials and maps
DAS - BEST

Dept. of Administrative Services,
Bureau of Enterprise Systems & Technology
0

 Mission - provide IT services and enterprise support
DAS - DCS

Dept. of Administrative Services,
Division of Construction Services 		0

 None
DECD

Dept. of Community and Economic Development 0

 Statewide cultural resources information,brownfields, opportunity and enterprise zones
DEEP

Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection 2

 Provides 285 layers, used throughout agency for permitting, tracking, X, X

DESPP-DEMHS

Dept. of Emergency Services and Public Protection,
Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security 		1
(4, 0.25 FTE)

 Emergency management, Geolab in Emergency Operations Center, ongoing and post-event activation and response
DESPP-DSET

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection,
Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications 		2

 Statewide 9-1-1 system, State police Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), Crimes analysis data mapping.
DoAg Department of Agriculture

Farmland preservation, shellfish licensing and management
DPH Department of Public Health 0 Across the agency, drinking water reservoirs, watersheds, wells
DSS Department of Social Services 0 Health services, program enrollment
DOT

Department of Transportation 4

 All things transportation – road maintenance, asset management, safety
MIL

Military Department 1

 MIL is federally required to conduct geospatial mapping.
OPM

Office of Policy and Management 0.5

 Coordinate geospatial information, planning, criminal justice policy
PURA

Public Utilities Regulatory Authority