South Tidewater News

The City of Norfolk has been recognized for its exceptional use of data by being awarded the Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification at the Gold Level. This certification acknowledges the city's efforts in establishing robust data capabilities to inform policy decisions, allocate funding, improve services, evaluate program effectiveness, and engage residents.

Norfolk joins a prestigious group of 74 cities that have achieved the What Works Cities Certification distinction. Mayor Kenny Alexander highlighted the city's commitment to data-driven excellence in serving the community, stating, "From flood control to urban development and crime prevention, data is at the heart of our operations." The Gold Certification signifies Norfolk's alignment with international standards of excellence and the latest technological advancements.

The What Works Cities Certification measures a city's use of data based on 43 criteria. Norfolk's achievement of the Gold level demonstrates its fulfillment of 68-84 percent of these criteria. Additionally, the city hosts an annual event called the Datathon, where participants use publicly available data to address community challenges. One notable outcome of the Datathon was the development of a model to identify neighborhoods with shade inequity, helping prioritize tree planting efforts.

Rochelle Haynes, Managing Director of What Works Cities Certification, commended the newly certified cities, stating, "They have all demonstrated a collective focus on how data can be used to build stronger communities." The program emphasizes that data use is essential for problem-solving, performance assessment, and improving government operations.

James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, emphasized the importance of leveraging data in local government decision-making. He remarked, "City halls – like any other effective modern organization – must be leveraging data to make better decisions." The What Works Cities Certification program provides cities with a North Star to guide their data-driven efforts.

The What Works Cities Certification program was launched in 2017 by Bloomberg Philanthropies and is led by Results for America. This program sets the international standard for data excellence in city governance and is open to any city in the Americas with a population of 30,000 or more.

The City of Norfolk's achievement of the Gold Certification is a testament to its dedication to using data to improve the lives of its residents. By harnessing the power of data, Norfolk continues to prioritize transparency, evidence-based decision-making, and the pursuit of excellence in serving its community.