The City of Marietta has recently clinched the top spot in the 2024 Digital Cities Survey for outstanding use of technology to better serve its residents. Marietta earned this accolade within the "Up to 75,000 Population" category, standing as a beacon of digital innovation among municipalities of similar size nationwide, as per statement of City of Marietta.
According to City of Marietta, this recognition not only showcases its commitment to cutting-edge technology practices but also marks a historical feat as the first city or county in Georgia to garner such an honor. In a statement given, Marietta City Manager Bill Bruton Jr. said, "This recognition reflects the innovative ways we leverage technology to deliver services to our community." He added, "It represents years of dedication and collaboration across all departments within our city government."
The Center for Digital Government (CDG)'s methodology includes assessing participating cities on various criteria that range from strategic planning and transparency to constituent engagement and innovation. With a notable mention for the actions taken to cybersecurity, particularly improvements made to protect the city’s electrical and water grids from cyberattacks, Marietta stands out in the survey’s evaluation.
"Being ranked as the #1 Digital City in America is an amazing accomplishment," Ronald Barrett, Director of Information Technology for Marietta, said in a statement from the City of Marietta, expressing pride for the city. "Finishing as the top city against tough competition demonstrates our city's leadership's commitment to supporting technology and using it creatively to overcome obstacles and address challenges." He further emphasized the IT department's role, stating, "It is their creativity and curiosity that keep our city at the forefront of new technologies."
The prestigious award will be formally recognized at the Marietta City Council meeting scheduled for December 11 at 7:00 p.m., where the city’s advancements and future tech-driven initiatives are expected to be highlighted. The recognition by the CDG reflects Marietta's ongoing commitment to technological integration for the improvement of municipal services and community engagement.
