The Sanborn Map Company joined national geospatial leaders to discuss roles, responsibilities, and opportunities to advance the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in an April 24th podcast episode, “Coming Together to Build the National Spatial Data Infrastructure”, presented by the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC).
The episode brings together federal, state, and industry perspectives, featuring Ken Nelson, Director of GIS & IT at the Kansas Geological Survey, John Copple, CEO of Sanborn, and Megan Compton, Senior NSDI Advisor of the Federal Geographic Data Committee. The session was moderated by Jordan Regenie of Peace Love Freedom, a geospatial strategy consultancy. The conversation centers on how organizations across federal, state, local, and tribal governments — as well as academia and the private sector — can contribute to a more coordinated and effective national geospatial framework.
“Having an authoritative, nationwide data set removes the burden on organizations to build and maintain their own versions,” said Copple. “...Without a strong NSDI, organizations are forced to build their own versions of the same data. That creates inefficiencies that scale across entire industries.”
That need for consistency and shared data is central to how the NSDI delivers value across sectors.
“The value and impact of the NSDI extends far beyond traditional return on investment. It’s foundational to how organizations operate and make decisions,” said Compton. “A successful NSDI depends on an interconnected ecosystem where data is usable, trusted, and fit for purpose.”
At the state level, that impact is felt in day-to-day operations, from emergency response to planning and infrastructure management.
“At the end of the day, it comes down to the data and the technologies that allow us to do our jobs better — whether that’s emergency response, permitting, or planning,” said Nelson. “The more current, scalable, and authoritative that data is, the more it improves outcomes across government, research, and everyday services that citizens rely on.”
Across all perspectives, participants emphasized that strengthening the NSDI depends on coordination—not just in data development, but in how that data is governed, shared, and used.
Listen to the full episode here.
Sanborn’s participation in the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC), including Chief Strategy Officer Kate Hickey as Co-chair, reflects its ongoing role in supporting federal, state, and local initiatives while advancing the use of high-quality geospatial data across both public and private sectors to help make more informed decisions at scale.
About The Sanborn Map Company, Inc.
Founded in 1866, The Sanborn Map Company is a leading provider of geospatial solutions, including aerial imagery, LiDAR, photogrammetry, and advanced geospatial analytics. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sanborn serves a diverse client base across government and commercial sectors, delivering high-quality data and insights that support critical decision-making nationwide.
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“Having an authoritative, nationwide data set removes the burden on organizations to build and maintain their own versions,” said John Copple, CEO, Sanborn. “...Without a strong NSDI, organizations are forced to build their own versions of the same data.
Contacts
Kate Hickey
Chief Strategy Officer
info@sanborn.com
