Omaha loses tech project bid

Omaha has been hacked from the list of cities vying for a 2012 Code for America Project.

Code for America is a nonprofit group that provides technology experts to help government entities build digital applications that help solve critical public issues.

When the city applied for the project in March, officials in Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle’s office had visions of building an application that would help with the city’s infrastructure, transportation or permit and inspection issues. The Mayor’s Office did not respond Thursday to messages seeking comment.

On Code for America’s blog, Alissa Black, the group’s government relations director, wrote that many of the 19 government applicants cited similar issues for their projects, but the 10 finalist cities — Austin, Texas; Chicago; Detroit; Honolulu; Macon, Ga.; New Orleans; New York; Philadelphia; Raleigh, N.C.; and Santa Cruz, Calif. — offered more compelling projects.

Applications to deal with real estate vacancies in Detroit and implementing 3-1-1 systems, which allow citizens to make phone calls for non-emergency government services like pothole repair, illegal burning and noise complaints, were examples cited by Black as projects that made the finalist list.

Code for America will select five to eight projects.

Contact the writer:

402-444-1414, ross.boettcher@owh.com

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