FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeff Rechler
215-564-3200 x118
jrechler@braithwaitepr.com
New Online Mapping Tool Opens Doors to Data
PolicyMap empowers decision
makers with better access to quality data
(Philadelphia)
May 20, 2008 – The Reinvestment Fund (TRF), a not-for-profit national leader in the financing of
neighborhood revitalization, today
launched PolicyMap, an online mapping
tool that empowers decision makers with better access to quality market and
demographic data. Where data was once the domain of researchers and analysts, PolicyMap offers simple and quick access to a
wealth of data for anyone who needs it. From city planners and grant makers to
real estate developers and strategic consultants,
professionals can now use PolicyMap to map and analyze information based on
geography.
“In
the Internet age, the data that is
available can be overwhelming. It is often dispersed across a multitude of sites
and can be difficult and time consuming to decipher,”
said Jeremy Nowak, President of TRF. “With PolicyMap, we have an interactive mapping tool that brings
thousands of indicators to your fingertips. It used to take days and an
expertise in GIS mapping software to create even basic demographic maps. With
PolicyMap, you can do this in minutes.”
PolicyMap
offers more than 4,000
indicators related to demographics,
real estate markets, crime, health,
schools, housing affordability, employment,
energy, and public investments. PolicyMap
aggregates indicators from a variety of sources including U.S. Census, Claritas,
FBI, IRS,
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, and Boxwood
Means (a value-added reseller of home sale data). PolicyMap compiles and scrubs
the data to ensure that it is reliable and accurate. Every
data variable comes with simple,
easy-to-understand descriptions and precise technical definitions.
PolicyMap
users can access the data through maps, reports, charts, and tables
– all of which can be saved and printed. PolicyMap users can:
§
Create
reports based on a specified radius of a location or a custom-drawn region.
§
Upload
and map their own data and share as appropriate.
§
Save
custom regions, reports, maps and tables,
and email them or print them as JPG or PDF files for use in reports and
presentations.
§
Access
online tutorials and live online training sessions.
“The
goal of PolicyMap is to make it easy to gather and analyze credible data that
policy makers, foundations and
investors need to make decisions,”
said Maggie McCullough, Director of
PolicyMap. “PolicyMap’s online mapping tool is available to anyone with
-more-
Internet
access and is viewable on any standard browser without requiring any additional
software or plug-ins.”
PolicyMap’s
basic service is available to the general public for free. Users can also
select from various subscriber levels to access proprietary data and
projections, upload their own data, and use additional features.
Subscriptions start at $200
per month for a single standard subscriber or $5,000
per year for a single premium subscriber.
PolicyMap
uses Pushpin™ technology, a leading
platform for professional web applications in mapping,
business geographics, and
location-based services. Pushpin was developed by Placebase, Inc., a leader in online
mapping that creates a hosted platform offering highly sophisticated interactive
web tools in ordinary Web browsers. Pushpin’s advanced capabilities include
availability of large numbers of map layers on tap,
display of thousands of markers rather than dozens,
and dynamic rendering of shaded thematic maps reflecting thousands of data
variables. The technology enables PolicyMap to provide thematic maps that are
extremely clear, highly fluid and
draggable, allowing users to slide
across geographies using their mouse.
About PolicyMap
PolicyMap
is an online mapping tool that makes it quick and easy to gather and analyze
geocentric information. PolicyMap is a service of The Reinvestment Fund and is
online at www.policymap.com.
About TRF
The Reinvestment Fund (TRF) is a
national innovator in capitalizing distressed communities and stimulating
economic growth for low- and moderate-income families. TRF identifies the point
of impact where capital can deliver its greatest financial and social influence.
TRF’s investments in homes, schools and businesses reclaim and transform
neighborhoods, driving economic growth and improving lives throughout the
Mid-Atlantic region. Since its inception in 1985, TRF has made over $700
million in community investments.
TRF is nationally recognized for its
research and housing-related policy analysis. TRF’s data analysis focuses both
on helping TRF identify opportunities to invest its own resources as well as
providing services to public sector and private clients seeking assistance with
their strategies to preserve and rebuild vulnerable communities. To learn more
about TRF, visit www.trfund.com.
# # #