KC selected as part of $42M data initiative

The City of Kansas City, Mo., plans to boost its tech tools thanks to its recent acceptance into a national initiative to improve government data programs.

Bloomberg Philanthropies announced Wednesday that Kansas City was selected as part of its $42 million “What Works Cities” program. The initiative aims to help Kansas City and seven other communities enhance their data programs and policies to better citizens’ lives.

Kansas City now has a variety of technology programs, including its Open Data Portal, Digital Roadmap and KC Stat efforts. Kansas City Mayor Sly James said that “What Works Cities” will further advance those programs, and create new ideas of how data can better increase resident engagement and promote transparency.

“Kansas City is and wants to continue to be a national leader in the movement for municipal governance transparency and accountability,” James said in a release. “KC Stat, our Digital Roadmap and other initiatives have laid a firm foundation, and this selection will keep us ahead as a technologically advanced community.”

As part of the program, Kansas City leaders will work with data experts from a variety of organizations, including Results for America, the Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University, the Government Performance Lab at the Harvard Kennedy School and more. The experts will help Kansas City officials create new data programs and policies, incorporate data into budget and policy decisions and conduct less-expensive evaluations of city programs.

Bloomberg Philanthropies selected Kansas City out of 112 applicants. The group also is working with Chattanooga, Tenn., Jackson, Miss., Louisville, Ky., Mesa, Ariz., New Orleans, La., Seattle, Wash. and Tulsa, Okla.

Bloomberg Philanthropies is led by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and works with dozens of organizations on public health, the environment, education, government innovation and the arts.