IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Two Inland Empire cities have been recognized for their use of technology to improve public services, enhance governmental transparency and increase their citizenry’s participation in government.
Riverside was ranked fifth among cities with populations between 250,000 and 499,999, according to the Center for Digital Government’s 2016 Digital Cities Survey, which was released earlier this month.
Riverside placed ahead of Long Beach, which ranked sixth, and Sacramento, which ranked seventh.
Virginia Beach, Va. ranked first in that population category.
Rancho Cucamonga ranked eighth among cities with populations between 125,000 and 249,999, tied with Pasadena, the only other California city listed in that population group.
Durham, N.C., finished first in that category.
Los Angeles and San Francisco finished first and eighth respectively among the largest cities, meaning those with a population of 500,000 or more.
All cities that were recognized completed a survey that reviewed their information technology strategies, highest priorities and what they believed they accomplished during the past year.
Some of the criteria used by the center included a city’s degree of open data and open government, its use of social media, mobile applications, its broadband and wireless infrastructure and cybersecurity measures.
“Residents and business owners are using technology more than ever in their daily lives,” said Lea Deesing, Riverside chief innovation officer, in a statement. “The city of Riverside is committed to providing them with the tools they need.”
The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute based in Folsom, Ca. It studies information technology policies and best practices in state and local government, according to the organization’s website.
