PDS launched Northern Kentucky mapLAB initiative seeking to accomplish two critical goals: illustrate the robust analytical capabilities of LINK-GIS; and, use those capabilities to support Kenton County’s economic development program. LINK-GIS wins 1st Place at the KAMP GIS Conference Map Gallery with the map “Urban Tree Canopy in the cities of Kenton County.” LINK-GIS staff pursues roadshow, highlighting capabilities of new map viewers, with visits to Campbell County Fiscal Court, the City of Covington and Thomas More College. LINK-GIS rolls out new map viewer for finding precinct and polling locations. Governor Beshear declares October 12th the beginning of GIS Week.

The PDS GIS department worked closely with the Homebuilders Association of Northern Kentucky (HBA) on a project to determine the number of “finished” subdivided lots in Kenton County. During the Kentucky Association of Mapping Professionals’ (KAMP) annual conference in Louisville in September, PDS Senior GIS Specialist Tom East, GISP, was awarded KAMP’s first ever President’s Award. LINK-GIS partners receive final delivery of 2014 aerial photography. LINK-GIS assist Pendleton County with determination of county line, resulting in saving the Public Works crew time and money. Planning and Development Services (PDS) hosted a “Girls Day Out,” Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) outing for girls of junior high age.

Planning and Development Services (PDS) held a mapping and GPS certified training course with Duke Energy. The Northern Kentucky Urban and Community Forestry Council was awarded a grant from the U.S. Forest Service in December 2013 to develop land classifications and forest canopy data for Kenton, Campbell, and Boone counties. LINK-GIS staff member assist the Kenton County Clerk (Gabrielle Summe) and her team to draw and redraw voting precinct boundaries to match new legislative boundaries and to accurately detail any and all changes in accompanying reports. Christy Powell, GISP, NKAPC’s Senior GIS Programmer creates a bike and pedestrian count application for the NKAPC Planning and Zoning Department and a building damage assessment application to be used during an emergency situation to collect information such as number of people affected, contact names, and extent of damage. LINK-GIS staff create updated, multi-use address database.

LINK-GIS staffers, Christy Powell, GISP, Joe Busemeyer, GISP and Tom East, GISP, are presented with the 2014 ALL-SPICE award for their contributions to the Kenton County 2030 Comprehensive Plan project, in conjunction with members of the PDS Planning Department.

Maps and data support for local tornadic event for building inspectors, emergency response and FEMA teams on the ground. LINK-GIS LiDAR data is used in a Kentucky Geological Survey report on landslides in the Campbell and Kenton Counties. LINK-GIS team makes presentations to local National Weather Service and forms relationships for future collaboration. SOW was created to work with the City of Elsmere for assets management inventory. Presented Snow Tracker at ESRI User Conference and KY GIS Conference. Upgrade/update LINK-GIS website map viewer for easier use and access to information with fewer clicks of the mouse. QAQC Campbell County FEMA Preliminary Floodplain maps. Provide ArcReader projects, data and training to Campbell County Office of Emergency Management. Put together multiple maps, tables and data for Kenton County Governance Study Group for various county analysis.