ANCHORAGE - Today, Mayor Ethan Berkowitz announced that Anchorage has been selected to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ “What Work Cities” - one of the largest-ever philanthropic efforts to enhance the use of data and evidence in the public sector. Launched in April 2015, the initiative is already providing support to eight cities and will admit up to 100 cities on a rolling basis through 2017.
“Better data translates to better management. Accessible data builds transparency and enables the public to solve problems, creating opportunities,” stated Mayor Berkowitz.
Anchorage joins twelve other new cities in publicly committing to enhance their use of data and evidence to improve services, inform local decision making and engage residents. Along with the mayors of Bellevue, Washington; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Denton, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Independence, Missouri; Las Vegas, Nevada; Lexington, Kentucky; Saint Paul, Minnesota; San Jose, California; San Francisco, California; Tacoma, Washington and Waco, Texas, the City of Anchorage will receive support from world class experts to address local issues.
What Works Cities collaborates with participating municipalities to review their current use of data and identify areas for improved government performance and efficiency. Through an open data policy, the initiative will increase transparency for the public and encourage private citizens to develop innovative applications using municipal data.
"Cities around the country are looking to use data more effectively, and the new What Works Cities range from Alaska to the East Coast. They understand that data is a tool that every city can use to improve public services, and our What Works Cities initiative will help them do just that," said Michael R. Bloomberg.
Bloomberg Philanthropies named the first eight cities in August 2015. Since then, these cities have made substantial progress by passing open data policies, launching performance management programs, and undertaking new efforts to evaluate programs and manage contracts more effectively.
For more information, contact Myer Hutchinson at (907) 343-7133.
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