At MVRPC, GIS is one of the key components of its Planning Support System that provides a vital operating function in conducting regional planning activities. Examples of GIS activities include geospatial database construction and management, technical spatial data analysis, and map generation to facilitate a better decision making process. Further, MVRPC’s GIS program provides a leadership role in the Region by coordinating and implementing various GIS activities to share data, information, knowledge, and technical expertise with local governments and the general public.
PAST TRAINING SESSIONS
May 2025: MVRPC hosted a training session about ArcGIS Basics. The session covered topics like getting started with ArcGIS Pro; adding and creating layers in ArcGIS Pro; and publishing and sharing the results.
November 2024: MVRPC hosted a training session on Building Interactive Reporting Web Apps using ArcGIS Pro & ArcGIS Online. This session covered topics like adding and creating layers to use in the map frame; sharing the map to ArcGIS Online; and configuring Smartform fields to collect results.
August 2024: MVRPC hosted a training session on ArcGIS Online
Basics & Drone Certification. Access the training materials.
May 2024: MVRPC hosted a training session about ArcGIS Basics. The session covered topics like getting started with ArcGIS Pro; adding and creating layers in ArcGIS Pro; and creating and sharing the results.
November 2023: MVRPC hosted a training session on ArcGIS Online Basics & Field Maps. Access the presentation and the training materials.
May 2023: MVRPC hosted a training session about ArcGIS Basics. The session covered topics like getting started with ArcGIS Pro; adding, configuring and displaying data in ArcGIS Pro; and creating and sharing a custom map. Download the training materials here.
November 2022: MVRPC hosted a training session on ArcGIS Online – Data Collection, covering topics like ArcGIS Field Maps and GPS technology. Access the training materials here.
November 2019: MVRPC hosted a training session on ArcGIS Online – Data Collection, covering topics like ArcGIS Collector and Survey123.
May 2019: MVRPC hosted a training session about Working with Data in ArcGIS Desktop. The session covered the following topics: creating & editing data; working with GPS data; and using different mapping techniques.
November 2018: MVRPC hosted a training session on ArcGIS Online Basics, covering topics like working with online data, web maps, and using application templates.
May 2018: MVRPC hosted a training session about ArcGIS Desktop Basics. The session covered the following topics: ArcGIS Desktop overview; adding and displaying data in ArcGIS Desktop; and creating a custom map.
November 2017: MVRPC hosted a training session on ArcGIS Online Basics, covering topics like working with online data; web maps; and using application templates.
June 2017: MVRPC hosted a training session on Introduction to ArcGIS Desktop. The session covered the following topics: ArcGIS Desktop Overview; Importing and Joining Census data; mapping and analyzing Census data.
November 2016: MVRPC hosted a training session on GIS & the Census.
Regional GIS
In 2014, MVRPC launched the Regional GIS program to facilitate regional collaboration through data sharing, information exchange, and leveraging GIS investments made by each organization.
The purposes of the Regional GIS program are to: 1) provide its members direct access to MVRPC’s datasets and interact with MVRPC’s GIS to map and analyze data to meet their own needs; and 2) address regional needs through on-going coordination and cooperation amongst organizations in the region.
A GIS services flyer highlights information on some of the GIS services MVRPC can provide to communities.
In 2015, MVRPC surveyed GIS users about how they used GIS in their organizations so that we could better understand the needs that exist at the regional and local level. The MVRPC Regional GIS survey results from this first survey were summarized and are available for download. This first GIS Needs Assessment survey was conducted in May of 2015.
A second GIS Needs Assessment survey was conducted in late 2019. This survey has the same aims as the first, with the additional goal of cataloging change in GIS use and needs in the region. The results have also been summarized and are available. Over 50 GIS users responded to the survey, issued in October 2019.
A third GIS Needs Assessment survey was conducted in March 2024. Our latest survey continues to serve as a way to ascertain what the region’s GIS professionals are doing, what they’d like to be doing, and what might be lacking.
MVRPC identified how GIS usage has changed over the years in the Miami Valley Region by analyzing trends from the three assessments, the results of which can be found here: Regional GIS Trends 2015-2024.
THE MIAMI VALLEY GEO-SPARK
Visit the Geo-Spark site to access GIS open data, view online maps & learn about MVRPC initiatives.
The Miami Valley’s Geo-Spark offers more easily shared layers and maps, allowing both GIS professionals and the public direct access to MVRPC’s GIS data.
Geo-Spark has three distinct sections: Open Data, a Gallery of web maps, and Initiatives involving data.
In the Open Data section, users can search or browse through over 100 different geographic data sets, where these layers can be launched into new web maps or downloaded into different data formats. Data and maps are organized and tagged by different categories including Boundaries, Census, Environment, Land Use, Transportation, Web Maps and All Data.
Galleries containing over 50 different web maps are available on a variety of topics. There is one gallery for simple, easy-to-use web maps and another for more robust mapping applications. MVRPC’s new Map of the Moment showcases a web map or mapping application that is featured for a limited time.
Geo-Spark’s Initiatives section is where users can connect more easily to a featured topic. These initiatives could include data visualizations and agency projects.
GIS Contacts
Please contact MVRPC's team of GIS experts to request various geospatial data and for technical assistance.
- GIS Project Management: Martin Kim, Director of Regional Planning
- GIS Data Request: Tom Harner, GIS Manager
- GIS Data Analysis: Tom Harner and Kathryn Youra Polk