Asheville, N.C., Community Gets Behind Open Data

For Asheville, N.C., CIO Jonathan Feldman, the decision to delve into the world of open data was largely a practical one. In a city of 85,000, Feldman says he’s open to releasing data sets to the public, but when making policy decisions, more pressing needs often rise to the top of the agenda.

"When it comes to funding a police car, fixing the 911 database or doing a fancy transparency app on the Web, what do you think wins?" Feldman asks.

That said, the city has made some progress releasing open data sets via its online portal, http://opendatacatalog.ashevillenc.gov/ . The site currently features crime data, the business license master file, street network GIS data, bus and bike routes and much more. And while it takes some work on the city side to prep the data for public consumption, the efforts are paying dividends.

By Noelle Knell

Full Story: http://www.govtech.com/e-government/Asheville-NC-Community-Gets-Behind-Open-Data.html