New state office will coordinate and advance growing impact of GIS

Minnesota Geospatial Information Office was influenced by MetroGIS

In the last decade, computer mapping has become an essential tool for planners..

The impact and reach of computer-based systems for collecting, analyzing and mapping geographic information – commonly known as GIS – took a big leap forward in Minnesota this year with creation of the new Minnesota Geospatial Information Office.

The new office – MnGeo for short – will coordinate geospatial activities across the state at two levels. At the state government level, MnGeo will facilitate ways to help state agencies work together more effectively. Outside of state government, MnGeo will encourage partnerships with other public, private, academic and nonprofit organizations to enhance the public benefit of GIS technology.

The office brings to a statewide level the kind of coordination demonstrated on a regional level by MetroGIS since its beginning in 1996, said Metropolitan Council GIS Manager Rick Gelbmann, who was instrumental in developing MetroGIS.

"The impact of these developments – creating the state office, developing a mandate and direction, naming the advisory councils, and providing staff and budget – can’t be underestimated in Minnesota’s GIS community,” Gelbmann said. “Taken together, these steps represent a major milestone in the way that GIS technology will be used to serve the public better in the years ahead.

“The Council is already benefiting from MnGeo’s coordination activities through reduced GIS software costs and efforts to share the cost of aerial photography,” he said.

Gelbmann pointed out that GIS (geographic information systems) technology has far-reaching impacts beyond mapping.

GIS-related technology is becoming more important every year in such far-flung areas as law enforcement, transit, ground transportation and railroads, air traffic safety, public health, environmental protection, water supply, military uses, food and crop development, wildlife conservation, legal affairs and the courts – even the arts and recreation.

Tony Pistili

Pistilli named to advisory council

At an annual GIS conference in Duluth last month, MnGeo announced the membership of two advisory councils to the office – one representing state government and one the broader statewide community – to guide the office and its work as it matures in coming years.

Among 23 members of the statewide advisory council is Metropolitan Council Member Tony Pistilli, who also served on the MetroGIS Policy Board for the past seven years, and who is an engaged and enthusiastic advocate of GIS technology.

“The creation of MnGeo is a great next step in helping not only the metro area but all of Minnesota benefit from coordination of GIS technology,” Pistilli said.