Last Bytes Big Maps, Small Budgets Shortcuts and budget stretchers let a small city flex big GIS muscle to foster economic development. Cities with an abundance of available commercial properties, for example, know that access to the global market gives them an edge in attracting new business and industry, especially with a highly effective Web site. But using the Internet to promote economic development can be expensive.
Users can generate reports for the properties that match the user-defined criteria.
The aerial photograph can be turned on and off. Smaller, mainly residential cities with limited commercial space may also be dependent on economic development. Many of these communities have neither the budget nor the technical resources to develop a sophisticated Web site. Pittsburg, Calif., northeast of Oakland, recently faced such a dilemma. Dunbar pointed out, however, that Pittsburg does not have Vallejo's resources.