Roanoke, Franklin Named Top Digital Counties Again

Two Roanoke Region localities have been recognized as nationwide technology leaders. Roanoke County and Franklin County each placed in the top 10 of the Annual Digital Counties Survey for communities with a population of less than 150,000.

Roanoke County was ranked fifth and Franklin County was eighth.

The ranking comes from the e.Republic’s Center for Digital Government and Digital Communities program, in partnership with the National Association of Counties. The award recognizes counties who have the best electronic practices nationwide.

2013 Top 10 winners (Less Than 150,000 Population)

  1. Charles County, Md.
  2. Allegan County, Mich.
  3. Nevada County, Calif.
  4. Albemarle County, Va.
  5. Roanoke County, Va.
  6. Napa County, Calif.
  7. Martin County, Fla.
  8. Franklin County, Va.
  9. Gloucester County, Va.
  10. Moore County, N.C.

Four Virginia counties made the top 10 in this category.

Survey questions were asked in a variety of areas such as computing, networking, applications, data and cybersecurity, open government, mobile services, and much more. The survey results reflect work done during the 2012 year.

Besides identifying the nation’s most tech-savvy county governments, the survey also points to some big-picture trends that are occurring across the country. For instance, 84 percent of counties that submitted the survey said they are consolidating data centers, applications and staff – a 13 percent increase over the past two years. Meanwhile, 80 percent are pursuing joint service delivery – a 10 percent increase compared to two years ago. In addition, 49 percent said they were implementing business intelligence and/or advanced analytics at the enterprise level – up 18 percent from last year.

“This year counties are focused on saving money where they can by simplifying their information technology infrastructure and sharing systems with other governments,” said Todd Sander, the Center for Digital Government’s executive director. “Many of them have found ways to provide better information security, transparency and citizen engagement with innovative uses of social media and advanced decision support tools.”

The national ranking is issued by the e.Republic’s Center for Digital Government and Digital Communities program, in partnership with the National Association of Counties who identify best electronic practices among counties nationwide.