Maine.gov Website Receives Top 10 Recognition

By, Britton Child, InforME

Maine.gov has been selected by Government Computer News (GCN) magazine as one of the Top 10 Public Sector websites. This year’s criteria focused on some very specific criteria for selection:

• Information Transparency;
• Open Government;
• Data Visualization;
• And, Search and Social Media
  

Proudly, Maine.gov was one of only two state government sites to make this Top 10 list.

“Having a website that is informative and easy to use is the key to ensuring Mainers know what’s going on at all times in state government,” said Governor LePage. “We should be proud to be on this list.”

The award highlighted the open government features on Maine.gov, such as the improved tracking of economic stimulus funds through Maine.gov DataShare, a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Electronic Reporting Solution for Maine. DataShare, an online open data catalog, continues to expand and encourages public participation and collaboration in government.

Maine’s online Media Gallery was another noted feature, providing public access to state agency video and audio. For example, the Media Gallery includes a video to help deaf or hard of hearing citizens use the services of statewide Career Centers, by presenting the information via a sign language interpreter and subtitles.

Maine.gov is a highly awarded state government web portal that received six national awards from a variety of organizations in 2010 alone. This year, 2011, will have a similar record. These awards demonstrate the commitment of the State of Maine to bring useful, effective online services to the citizens of Maine.