Building Stronger Economies with Smarter Maps
At InteractiveGIS, we believe maps aren’t just for navigation—they’re tools for insight, action, and growth. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can play a powerful role in helping counties and towns unlock opportunities for economic development. By combining data visualization with location intelligence, GIS empowers communities to attract investment, support minority-owned businesses, and foster equitable, sustainable growth.
Identifying Opportunities for Growth
Every community has potential, but without clear data, it’s hard to see where that potential lies. GIS provides a way to layer and analyze information about demographics, infrastructure, land use, and environmental constraints all in one place. This spatial approach allows planners to identify underutilized areas, vacant properties, or regions lacking essential services.
For example, the Local Economic Assessment Package (LEAP) helps communities benchmark economic performance and pinpoint growth sectors by integrating GIS data with economic indicators. With tools like these, local governments can prioritize investments in areas that will have the highest economic impact.
At InteractiveGIS, we design custom GIS solutions with our software iGIS© that let decision-makers visualize these patterns in a user-friendly web-based platform. Whether it’s tracking zoning opportunities or overlaying infrastructure networks, our tools make it easier to plan smarter and build stronger.
Supporting Minority-Owned Businesses
Equity is a vital part of economic development. GIS can be a valuable resource for mapping the distribution of minority-owned businesses across a county or town. By visualizing where these businesses are located—and where they’re missing—leaders can develop policies to fill service gaps and direct resources where they’re most needed.
In a recent paper by Kheir Al-Kodmany featuring Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood, GIS mapping revealed a scarcity of minority-owned businesses in key commercial corridors. This insight led to targeted initiatives that provided grants and technical support to entrepreneurs in the area. Similar strategies can be applied in other communities to promote inclusivity and economic balance.
InteractiveGIS’s customizable dashboards allow users to filter and explore data by business type, ownership demographics, and neighborhood characteristics—helping communities prioritize support for underserved business owners.
Visualizing Market Trends
Attracting investment takes more than just available space—it requires understanding the market. GIS tools help communities analyze consumer behavior, spending patterns, traffic flows, and mobility trends. By bringing these insights together on an interactive map, planners can showcase a region’s economic strengths and highlight opportunities for new development.
Emerging tools like Senseconomic are even combining satellite imagery with machine learning to monitor economic indicators in near real-time. This kind of up-to-date insight can help towns and counties stay ahead of market shifts, better positioning themselves to attract investors and new businesses.
iGIS© can integrate market trend data into your solutions to help economic development teams tell a compelling story to potential investors. From highlighting workforce demographics to visualizing customer catchment areas, our GIS tools bring clarity to complex data.
Driving Investment and Job Creation
GIS is more than a visualization tool—it’s a catalyst for action. By combining data about available properties, utilities, workforce readiness, and transportation access, GIS dashboards can support site selection and streamline the decision-making process for developers and businesses.
Programs like the SBA’s HUBZone leverage GIS to direct investments into historically underserved areas, stimulating job growth and revitalization. A community’s ability to showcase its assets through clear, data-driven maps can make the difference between being overlooked and being chosen.
InteractiveGIS specializes in crafting these interactive, web-based tools so your team can present accurate, real-time data to stakeholders, investors, and community members. By making information accessible and actionable, we help counties and towns build a transparent foundation for economic growth.
Partnering with InteractiveGIS
At InteractiveGIS, we’re more than just a software provider—we’re your partner in progress. Our team collaborates closely with clients to create tailored GIS solutions that meet their unique goals. Whether you’re a small town looking to attract new businesses or a growing county aiming to promote equitable development, we equip you with the tools to make data-driven decisions that shape your future.
Ready to explore how GIS can power your economic development strategy? Contact InteractiveGIS to discover how a custom GIS solution can help you unlock opportunities, support local businesses, and drive lasting growth.
