Infrastructure and Asset Mapping for Public Housing

SHERMAN, September 4, 2014– Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) announced today that the TCOG Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Program was awarded a NADO Innovation Award at the recent NADO meeting and conference held in Denver, CO.

The TCOG GIS program worked together with the Texoma Housing Partners (THP) to develop a powerful online web map application. Dr. Thomas said, “This tool allows THP staff to identify critical assets and infrastructure located on properties THP owns in 18 cities throughout the region.” Thomas noted that water lines, meters and fire hydrants, as well as electrical shutoff locations on each of the properties have been collected using a GPS system and then imported into the GIS mapping database for access by THP maintenance staff.

“The maintenance staff now has the ability to access the GIS map application on the phone while they are in the field. This has dramatically improved our ability to quickly identify where a problem exists, saving time and effort,” stated Gary Edwards, THP Maintenance Program Manager. “There are numerous potential uses for the GIS program and we intend to continue to work with TCOG’s GIS program to develop new applications that will provide additional efficiencies to our program.”

“For 28 years, NADO’s Innovation Awards have recognized regional development organizations for their hard work and commitment to promoting economic development in rural and small metropolitan communities across the country. Award recipients have created innovative solutions that build on the unique strengths and challenges of their regions, all while continuing to promote sustainable economic growth not only now, but for many years to come,” said NADO President Peter Gregory, Executive Director of the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission in Woodstock, VT.

NADO is a Washington, DC-based association that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through regional cooperation, program delivery, and comprehensive strategies. The association’s Innovation Awards program recognizes regional development organizations and partnering organizations for improving the economic and community competitiveness of our nation’s regions and local communities. Award winners were showcased during NADO’s 2014 Annual Training Conference, August 23 – 26 in Denver, Colorado.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.