The Alabama Department of Homeland Security recently received notice that Virtual Alabama is a finalist for the 2008 Intergovernmental Solutions Award (ISA) given by the American Council for Technology (ACT)!

ACT said Virtual Alabama demonstrates how adopting best practices from government and industry lead to measurable improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs. In fact, ACT noted Virtual Alabama excelled in all five areas of criteria for this award.

The criteria are as follows: technology leadership and innovation, intergovernmental and collaborative efforts, business transformation, measurable impact and results, and available and transferable.

Virtual Alabama was unveiled by Governor Bob Riley last November. Using a license from Google Earth, it is a comprehensive database of valuable, three dimensional imagery and information. Originally designed as a tool for first responders and state leaders to use during an emergency, Virtual Alabama is expanding to help bring business and industry to Alabama.

The 2008 ISA will be presented in June in Norfolk, Virginia.