PRESS RELEASE

For the seventh consecutive year, the City of Long Beach has been named a Top 10 Digital City, surpassing numerous other cities in a national survey that spotlights municipalities that best demonstrate how information and communication technologies are used to enhance public service.

"Across Long Beach we are building a stronger and more accessible digital city. That's why for us technology and innovation are at the core of our city-wide strategy,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Being recognized as a top 10 Digital City is not only a source of pride, but also an affirmation that we are working hard on these challenges."

The designation was based on the City’s progress in implementing the vision to build a robust and fully integrated smart digital city, including:

• Making enhancements to its open data government portal, OpenLB, to provide easy access to statistics and other data from all City departments. This feature enables users to create new information, collaborate with one another, and share insights using data that was previously difficult to access. There are over 80 data sets on the site.

• Refining the new online engagement portal, BizPort, funded by a Bloomberg Philanthropies grant. The portal enables businesses and investors to find information to seamlessly open a business. BizPort won the Center for Digital Government's Government Experience Award in September for Government-to-Business Experience.

• Creating a robust campaign aimed at educating staff and residents via social media and local TV about cybersecurity best practices. The City also added a Cyber Risk position that is responsible for developing and implementing an integrated cybersecurity approach to ensure data and identities are properly authenticated, authorized and audited. 

• Producing videos for City departments in response to research showing visitors are three times more likely to watch a video for information. Nineteen of the City’s 23 departments now have active Facebook pages and regularly post video to 12 different YouTube channels.  

“Using technology and data to improve City services, creates new opportunities and better connects our community, which is why we are so committed to innovation in Long Beach,” said Bryan M. Sastokas, Chief Information Officer for the City of Long Beach. “This recognition as a national leader in technology is a confirmation of our team's dedication and creativity to the evolving needs of our residents and businesses.”

The survey honors cities in five population classifications this year: 500,000 or more population, 250,000 – 499,999 population, 125,000 – 249,999 population, 75,000 – 124,999 population, and Up to 75,000 population. The City of Long Beach falls under the 250,000 – 499,999 population classification. Within this category, Long Beach placed sixth, tying with the City of Chandler, Arizona. Long Beach placed behind the Cities of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Durham, North Carolina; Greensboro, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; Sacramento, California; Omaha, Nebraska; and Riverside, California, while scoring higher than the following cities:

• City of Atlanta, Georgia.
• City of Mesa, Arizona.
• City of Cincinnati, Ohio.
• City of Henderson, Nevada.

“This year’s leading digital cities are leveraging technology to connect disadvantaged citizens with critical information and services, promote citizen inclusion in important government processes and share government data with the public,” said Teri Takai, Executive Director of the Center for Digital Government. “Thanks to the efforts of these innovative cities, citizens can now meaningfully interact with city government more easily than in any other time in history. Congratulations to the winners!”

Now in its 17th year, the annual survey recognizes cities using technology to improve citizen services, enhance transparency and encourage citizen engagement. This annual survey was conducted by the Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute focused on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. The Center for Digital Government is a division of e.Republic, a national publishing, event, and research company focused on smart media for public sector innovation.