Improving 911 GIS Data Across Nine Indiana Counties Through the SEED Grant
Strengthening GIS Data for Next Generation 911
The Indiana Geographic Information Office (IGIO), a division of the Indiana Office of Technology, has invested significant time and resources in advancing geographic information system (GIS) data for counties and communities across Indiana since 2005. As emergency response systems continue transitioning to digital technologies, the need for accurate, standardized, and reliable 911 address data has become increasingly important.
To support this effort, the Sowing Enriched and Enhanced Datasets (SEED) Grant program provided Indiana counties with up to $30,000 to modernize their road centerline and address data. The program was designed to help counties transition their datasets to Next Generation 911 (NG911) schema standards while improving overall data accuracy and reliability.
Beginning in late 2024, Abonmarche’s Digital Solutions team partnered with nine Indiana counties to implement these improvements.
Building Better 911 Data
Working closely with county GIS coordinators and directors, Abonmarche established comprehensive data governance programs for each participating county. The process began with the ingestion and evaluation of existing road centerline and address datasets.
GIS analysts then conducted detailed quality assessments, identifying areas for improvement before converting the data to NG911-compliant schemas. This approach helped establish greater consistency and accuracy across each county’s datasets while creating a stronger foundation for ongoing maintenance.
Using ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online, Abonmarche also developed customized interactive dashboards and quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) tools. These solutions identified both attribute and geometric errors, allowing county staff to efficiently review, correct, and monitor their data.
Through these tools and workflows, counties were able to resolve identified issues throughout the grant period and achieve the program’s required 98% data quality threshold.
Creating Sustainable GIS Workflows
The project extended beyond simply improving existing datasets. A key focus was helping counties establish sustainable data management practices that could continue after the grant period ended.
Abonmarche worked with county staff to develop maintenance workflows and governance procedures designed to preserve data quality over time. The team also collaborated with county IT departments and 911 agencies to improve backend data storage, management, and accessibility.
These efforts created a more resilient foundation for county GIS operations and helped position staff to continue managing and improving their data independently.
Supporting the Future of Emergency Response
With the SEED Grant program concluding in early 2026, the nine participating Indiana counties are now better positioned to maintain high-quality GIS data and support more accurate and efficient emergency response.
Compliance with NG911 standards also improves interoperability between neighboring jurisdictions and agencies nationwide. Beyond emergency response, the enhanced GIS data can support more accurate tax parcel information and strengthen county-wide planning and decision-making.
Through the SEED Grant, Abonmarche’s Digital Solutions team helped these counties not only improve their GIS datasets, but also establish the tools, standards, and workflows needed to maintain that quality well into the future.
Collaborative Addressing: A Modern GIS Approach for Smarter Communities
“In cartography, as in medicine, art and science are inseparable. The perfect map blends art and science into an effective tool of visual communication.” — Dr. Keith Harries
Address management may seem routine—but for local governments, it’s a mission-critical function. From emergency response and public safety to planning, permitting, and utility coordination, accurate address data underpins nearly every civic operation. Yet in many communities, address management still relies on fragmented systems and disconnected workflows, creating inefficiencies that ripple across departments.
Elkhart County, Indiana, recognized this challenge and chose a different path—one rooted in collaboration, transparency, and GIS technology. By implementing a unified, Esri-powered address management system, the county established a scalable governance model that now serves as a best-practice example for communities nationwide.
The Challenge: Disconnected Processes, Delayed Services
For years, address creation and maintenance in Elkhart County operated in silos. Municipalities, emergency services, planning departments, and private developers each followed their own systems and timelines. The result was a set of recurring challenges:
Inconsistent address records across agencies
Delays in emergency response caused by outdated or mismatched data
Redundant workflows and unclear authority over address assignment
Limited transparency for developers and residents navigating the process
This fractured model created administrative burden—and, more importantly, risk. When public safety and development depend on accurate geographic data, fragmentation isn’t just inefficient—it’s dangerous.
The Solution: A Unified, GIS-Based Addressing Ecosystem
To modernize its approach, Elkhart County implemented a centralized address management workflow built on Esri GIS technology. The new system established a single authoritative source of truth for address data, supported by several key capabilities:
Standardized address creation protocols aligned across municipalities
Automated validation rules to enforce consistency and reduce human error
Real-time status dashboards to track addresses from submission through approval
A public-facing GIS Hub site for transparency, education, and direct stakeholder access
Together, these tools created a fully integrated platform that supports emergency dispatch, land use planning, infrastructure development, and economic growth.
Collaboration: The True Catalyst for Change
While technology enabled the transformation, collaboration made it successful. Elkhart County built a shared governance structure that brought together:
City, township, and county leadership
Emergency service providers to ensure public-safety readiness
Developers, utilities, and private sector partners to align timelines and expectations
The county also prioritized training and user support to ensure both technical and non-technical staff could confidently use the new tools. This investment in people ensured the system wasn’t just implemented—it was adopted.
Workflow Improvements at a Glance
Automated Address Validation: Reduces duplication and enforces consistency
Live Tracking & Status Updates: Improves transparency across departments and external users
Public Hub Integration: Educates residents and developers while streamlining communication
Centralized Data Access: Ensures all agencies work from one accurate, real-time dataset
The Results: Faster, Smarter, and More Transparent
Since launching the GIS-based workflow, Elkhart County has realized significant benefits:
Faster approval timelines for new and updated addresses
Improved emergency response readiness with real-time, accurate location data
Reduced administrative burden and clearer interagency roles
Increased public trust through transparency and consistent communication
What was once a reactive, fragmented process is now a coordinated, proactive public service.
Key Lessons for Other Communities
Elkhart County’s experience offers actionable insights for any local government pursuing modernization:
Engage stakeholders early and often to ensure alignment and buy-in
Automate strategically without overcomplicating the user experience
Invest in continuous training to support long-term adoption
Design for scalability to serve both rural and urban growth
A Model for Regional GIS Innovation
Elkhart County’s addressing initiative demonstrates what’s possible when GIS technology, strategic governance, and collaboration intersect. By aligning tools, people, and processes, the county laid the foundation for smarter growth, improved safety, and stronger public trust.
This project reinforces a simple truth: innovative governance starts with smart data. And with the right framework in place, even foundational systems like address management can drive efficiency, transparency, and community confidence for years to come.
The Challenge: Meeting Modern Infrastructure Demands
Municipal utilities face increasing pressure to meet evolving demands, including compliance with new regulations such as Indiana House Bill 1459; Public Law 91, which requires reporting on a utility’s asset management program every four years. These are specifically addressed to Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems and Water Distribution Systems. (Notably, this law does not currently apply to Stormwater-Only systems.) Utilities must find ways to meet these compliance requirements typically with more limited resources, amid shrinking budgets, and aging infrastructure. This is all while ensuring rapid response to emergencies and maintaining public transparency. Unfortunately, many traditional work order systems—often reliant on spreadsheets or disconnected from spatial data—limit visibility, increase the risk of missed maintenance tasks, and lead to inefficiencies that can undermine the long-term health of critical infrastructure.
The GIS-Based Solution: Hebron, Indiana
To overcome these challenges, Hebron partnered with Abonmarche/Axia using ESRI GIS software to implement a GIS-integrated WOM solution. Some of the ESRI products utilized were: an ArcGIS Online Organizational Account, Field Maps, and ArcGIS Workforce. This solution connects the office and the field through real-time, location-aware data, allowing teams to visualize, prioritize, and act more responsively to repair requests, asset collection/documentation, inspections, capital improvement planning, and maintenance needs.
Understanding the Workflow
Hebron’s system organizes work management into three distinct components:
Requests – Submitted by staff or the public.
Work Orders from Requests – Generated in response to citizen calls, complaints, or submitted issues.
Work Orders from Proactive Maintenance – Initiated based on routine maintenance schedules or staff observations.
This approach ensures both reactive and proactive maintenance tasks are captured and tracked efficiently, supporting a shift toward predictive infrastructure management.
Key Benefits
Rapid Emergency Response GIS visibility allows for precise dispatching and shorter response times during storm events or sewer backups.
Informed Capital Planning Historical maintenance data, condition ratings, and usage patterns justify funding requests and help prioritize capital improvement projects.
Regulatory Compliance The system supports compliance with HB 1459 by generating reports and dashboards that demonstrate ongoing asset management efforts.
Improved Public Trust Fewer disruptions, faster service, and visible investment in infrastructure build credibility with residents and stakeholders.
Staff Empowerment & Efficiency Field staff can update records from the job site, reducing duplication, increasing accountability, and improving job satisfaction.
Implementation Insights: Lessons from Hebron
Start Small; Scale Smart Begin with one area (e.g., catch basins) and expand incrementally. Phased rollouts reduce overwhelming staff and ensure strong user adoption.
Engage Field Crews Early Successful implementation depends on buy-in from the team doing the work. Involve them in design and testing.
Identify and Train Champions Power users serve as internal support and trainers, creating momentum and reducing reliance on outside consultants.
Communicate Consistently Clear definitions, process transparency, and regular updates ensure alignment across teams.
Technology Is a Tool, Not a Substitute The system enhances collaboration—it doesn’t replace it. Human insight remains essential.
The Bigger Picture: GIS as a Catalyst for Infrastructure Innovation
Hebron’s story reflects a broader shift in municipal infrastructure management. GIS-based WOM systems are not just operational tools; they are strategic investments. They allow communities to:
Proactively extend the life of assets
Allocate resources more effectively
Increase transparency for constituents
Build the foundation for future smart city initiatives
As more municipalities embrace integrated, location-based asset management systems, the benefits will be felt not only underground but also across every department, every budget, and every resident served.
Collaborating to Tackle Lead Water Lines with GIS Technology
We are committed to improving community health and safety through collaboration and innovation. Our recent efforts, as highlighted by GIS Specialist George Nikokiris in a podcast and blog post with Esri, demonstrate how we’re using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to address the critical issue of lead contamination in water supply lines across northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan.
The Hidden Danger of Lead Pipes
While lead was once a common choice for plumbing due to its durability, we now know the serious health risks it poses, especially when it contaminates drinking water. Many communities remain unaware of where lead pipes are located within their water systems, causing delays in necessary actions to protect public health.
The Risks of Lead Contamination
Lead exposure is particularly harmful to young children, pregnant women, and pets. Long-term exposure can lead to developmental delays, learning disabilities, and other severe health issues. Identifying and replacing these pipes is crucial for ensuring safe drinking water for all residents.
Our Collaborative Approach to Mapping Lead Pipes
In his conversation with Esri, George Nikokiris emphasizes how Abonmarche’s GIS team collaborates with local leaders and residents to address this challenge. We are working to create detailed, comprehensive inventories of water supply lines, which will help communities identify the presence of lead pipes and prioritize their replacement.
“Collaboration with local residents and leaders is key to tackling the issue of lead contamination. By using GIS technology and community engagement, we are building stronger, safer neighborhoods.” — George Nikokiris, GIS Specialist at Abonmarche
Utilizing GIS Technology for Better Mapping
Our approach includes extensive research, including delving into historical records, to accurately map and track lead pipe locations. GIS technology allows us to create interactive maps that visualize the extent of lead pipe usage in each area, helping local authorities make informed decisions about water system improvements.
Community Engagement in Lead Pipe Identification
Community involvement is at the heart of our initiative. Through the use of ArcGIS Hub sites, we are empowering residents to actively participate in the identification of lead service lines. Our efforts include:
Distributing informative door hangers to educate residents about the dangers of lead pipes
Conducting surveys to gather community insights on water service line conditions
Establishing online platforms where residents can report potential issues and monitor the progress of lead pipe replacements
By fostering community engagement, we are raising awareness and creating a shared sense of responsibility for improving water safety.
Join Us in This Essential Initiative
We invite you to learn more about how we’re leveraging GIS technology to improve water safety and engage local communities in addressing the lead pipe issue. Together, we can help pave the way to a healthier, safer environment for everyone.
Streamlining Water Management | A Digital Transformation for the Town of New Chicago, Indiana
In a world where digitalization has become the norm, there are still pockets of resistance where analog and legacy work processes hold strong. The town of New Chicago, with a population of 1,980 people, stood as a testament to this reluctance to change. The town’s records, infrastructure data, and operational processes were firmly rooted in pen and paper, and even the idea of digitizing seemed far-fetched. This is where Abonmarche stepped in, facilitating a digital transformation that has revolutionized the way New Chicago manages its water assets.
The Legacy Systems Challenge
With all records existing on old maps and index cards, the town faced challenges in efficiently managing its water distribution system. The population might be small, but the complexity of its water system is significant. New Chicago’s antiquated water meter books, comprising a staggering 13 binders, were a symbol of the challenge ahead.
The most significant challenge was the lack of readily accessible and reliable asset data. Knowledge about main lines, valves, and service lines was confined to maps from the 1990s, and when field workers encountered problems like leaks, they had to trek back to the facility to cross-check asset data. This process resulted in inefficiencies and frustration among the crew. Handwritten notes containing crucial information about asset attributes were often illegible, causing further complications.
A Digital Transformation Emerges
Recognizing the urgency for change, Abonmarche’s Digital Solutions team embarked on a journey to modernize New Chicago’s water management systems. The approach was innovative yet simple: ‘heads-up digitizing.’ This method involved recreating the entire water distribution system within the Esri ArcGIS platform, effectively transforming the data from analog to digital.
Within a few short weeks, the team completed this work, with transformative results:
1. Unleashing Digital Capabilities: The data was no longer confined to physical maps; it could now be downloaded, exported, and shared online. This open access unlocked capabilities that were previously unthinkable.
2. Empowering Field Workers: Field crews could now access the data they needed directly on tablets while out in the field. This eliminated the need for them to return to the facility to make decisions, improving efficiency and reducing operational delays.
3. Seamless Data Accessibility: The establishment of a project delivery site (Esri ArcGIS Online Portal) for the Town of New Chicago brought the power of digital data storage to the cloud. Information is now available 24/7, enabling real-time decision-making.
Bridging the Gap with Mobile Devices
The integration of the town’s digital map into a tablet app allowed field crews to manipulate and interact with the data directly from their devices. This move brought several notable benefits:
On-the-Spot Edits: Field crews can make necessary edits onsite, eliminating the need to process changes back at the office. This streamlined workflow ensures accuracy and reduces response times.
Effortless Application of Edits: With just a few taps on their tablets, crew members can seamlessly apply edits to the digital map, enhancing data accuracy and minimizing errors.
Innovative Mobile Device Equipment Leasing Program: At the heart of this program is our commitment to seamless tablet management for these communities. Instead of worrying about app deployments, iPad tracking, or the headaches of replacements due to loss or theft, our client communities can participate in our mobile device leasing program for just $55 per month, per iPad user – letting our team shoulder the responsibility of technology management.
Revolutionizing Meter Readings
The digital transformation didn’t stop with the water distribution system. New Chicago’s monthly meter readings, once documented laboriously in antiquated meter reading books, underwent a similar transformation.
The field crew’s process of manually recording readings in large, unwieldy books was replaced with a streamlined app developed by the Abonmarche Digital Solutions team. This app revolutionized the client’s process in several ways:
Account Number Integration: The addition of account number information to each property brought organization and structure to the meter reading process.
Consolidation of Data: The Digital Solutions team combined hundreds of account numbers tied to New Chicago’s addresses into a single, accessible source.
Field Map Integration: The app’s interface presented line items within a field map, enabling crews to input readings and attach photos to data points effortlessly.
Rainproof Efficiency: Unlike the physical books susceptible to rain, the tablets used by the field crews are waterproof, allowing them to work unhindered by weather conditions.
A Bright Digital Future for New Chicago
In the end, the transformation brought about by Abonmarche positioned the town of New Chicago for a brighter, more efficient future. The benefits were immense:
Efficient Field Work: Streamlined workflows and onsite decision-making maximized the crew’s time in the field, resulting in faster response times.
Web Accessibility: The digital data was effortlessly shareable on the web, enhancing communication and collaboration across departments.
Digital Records: Records and information were now stored securely in a digital format, eliminating the risks associated with physical books.
“This has opened up capabilities to us like never before,” noted the Water Superintendent of New Chicago. “I always had to come back to the office and sift and search through those old, worn-out water maps. Now, all the information I need is right here in the field with these tablets. This is amazing! This will help our crew do our job faster just by having the knowledge of where everything is located while we are onsite.”
This project demonstrates the impact of digital transformation. With streamlined workflows and improved technology, New Chicago can now participate in efficient, data-driven water management that facilitates better communication between team members. This success story serves as an inspiration for other communities looking to embrace the possibilities of digital investment.
