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FAIRMONT After applying for the grant in November 2016, Fairmont City Council has received $10,000 for the development of geographic information system (GIS) software.

City Manager Robin Gomez announced the grant acceptance at Tuesdays City Council meeting by presenting a large novelty check.

The software works by combining data and maps of Fairmont. Gomez said that while the technology has many uses, the city will use it to identify and establish historic resources in structures around town.

It will allow us to have more data, allow us to more easily analyze the locations and what we would be able to do with historic structures, Gomez said. It will help us with marketing certain structures like the Masonic Temple and help get a developer in there. Theres all sorts of possibilities that go with the GIS system, but our approach, since the grant is through the state Historic Preservation Office, is were identifying historic structures.

Gomez said that while identifying and mapping historic structures is the primary goal, the city will also use the software to map out other specifics for the city.

We can add more data, such as all those different code enforcement cases and kind of where we have vacant properties, Gomez said. We can track where we have properties that the city owns that we would be looking to have redeveloped. It allows us to identify all fire hydrants throughout the city.

Worldwide, GIS software is used for a wide variety of historic, environmental and social purposes. For example, the software can be used to find which wetlands are most at risk by comparing their location on a map to heavy pollution sources. It can also be used to track animal migration patterns, as well as help businesses find a location for a new store.

While perhaps less relevant to Fairmont, GIS software also can help officials prepare natural disaster response and evacuation plans by identifying neighborhoods most at risk, escape routes and good location for shelters.

The software can also be used to study statistical trends, allowing cities to track such things as crime rates and precipitation rates over months and years, provided they have the required data.

Once the GIS software is implemented, the city will be able to easily update its maps going forward, Gomez said.

With the new technology and data, city officials will be able to make the best decisions in the future for a better Fairmont, he said.

Its just an endless amount of data that can be in one location that allows us to analyze and make better-informed decisions, Gomez said.

The rest is here:
Fairmont awarded GIS software grant - The Exponent Telegram (press release) (registration)