CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA – For the sixth year in a row, the Center for Digital Government has ranked the City of Charlottesville as one of the Top Ten Digital Cities in America. The winners were announced today at a ceremony in San Antonio at the National League of Cities “Congress of Cities.” The ranking is based on the 2009 Digital Cities Survey and examines how city governments utilize digital technologies to better service their citizens and streamline operations to increase efficiencies. The comprehensive survey includes an assessment of how municipalities are using emerging technologies, integrating digital means of delivering customer service, and saving resources by providing efficiencies through the use of technology. Charlottesville moved up one spot this year and was ranked fourth in its population category (30,000-74,999), while Lynchburg came in at number seven in this year’s ranking. The top spots for larger markets went to Corpus Christi, Norfolk, and Santa Monica.

The move up in rank was attributed to the City’s aggressive use of social media and broadening of wireless public access in areas like the downtown mall and City Hall. This is the highest ranking the City has seen in the six years appearing on the national survey.

“Using technology to become more efficient has been a priority of the City,” said Ric Barrick, Director of Communication for Charlottesville. “The goal is to better serve our citizens, and from the front lines of City Hall to our website and our use of social media, better use of technology helps us deliver services to our community.”

"This year's winners demonstrate how cities have faced economic challenges with creativity and innovation in the use of information technology," said Cathilea Robinett, executive director for the Center for Digital Government. "The Survey clearly shows that cities place a high value on positive experiences for their constituents when using government services. These winners are at the leading edge of the future in digital advances for citizens."

The survey was open to all U.S. cities with a population of 30,000 or more and respondent cities were classified into four size-based categories.

For more information on the Digital Cities Survey rankings members of the media are encouraged to call Ric Barrick at 434-970-3129 or I.T. Director Kerry Goode at 434-970-3333. For a complete listing go to www.centerdigitalgov.com.

1^st Town of Flower Mound, Texas

2^nd Town of Jupiter, Fla.

3^rd Town of Manchester, Conn.

4^th City of Charlottesville, Va.

5^th City of Boynton Beach, Fla.

5^th City of Delray Beach, Fla.

6^th City of Annapolis, Md.

7^th City of Lynchburg, Va.

8^th City of Azusa, Calif.

9^th City of Missoula, Mont.

10^th City of Wellington, Fla.