The Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) today announced that that the state’s new Geodata Portal and broadband maps will be available beginning on Friday, November 18, 2022. This announcement comes on GIS Day 2022, which helps others learning about geography and the real-world applications of GIS that can make a difference in our society.
The Geodata Portal will provide high-quality geospatial data for Connecticut data practitioners across all sectors and industries. By hosting, aggregating, and sharing trusted and reliable geospatial data, users can expect to easily find trusted data to enable better decisions. The Geodata Portal will be available at geodata.ct.gov and will build on the success and be integrated with the state’s open data portal.
The broadband maps are being published as required under An Act Concerning Equitable Access to Broadband (PA 21-159). OPM collected broadband availability and adoption data from internet service providers in the state and developed the state’s first broadband availability and adoption maps. These maps and the underlying data sets will be used by state government to help move the state toward the goal of universal access to broadband, and to identify and overcome any barriers to access, including, but not limited to, addressing issues of digital literacy and affordability. The broadband maps will be available at the state’s broadband mapping hub.
“The datasets provided by both the Geospatial Data Portal and broadband maps will help inform policymakers, advocates, academic researchers, the news media, and public about the work state government is undertaking to move our state forward,” said Alfredo Herrera, Geographic Information Officer at OPM. “The pandemic brought additional focus on the use of GIS technology to address some of our most critical challenges including access to healthcare, climate change, and addressing inequities in our communities.”