One of the great challenges of our work in open data is making a concrete case for value. For me, the question comes up all the time, going back to my time at EveryBlock and even before that, as a tech contractor trying to convince a municipality to open more data.
We often rely on important but somewhat vague successes around weather and transit, but we really lack demonstrative examples of direct economic development around open data.
Now comes the inimitable Waldo Jaquith, Director of the U.S. Open Data Institute, with a detailed blog post that shows one small path to understanding: “The Financial Value of Open Corporate Data to Government” .
The regulation of businesses is one of the most essential government functions and one that generates critical revenue for government services.