Oct. 16, 2024 (Saint Paul, MN) -The Minnesota Geospatial Advisory Council’s (GAC) Public Land Survey System (PLSS) Legislative Subcommittee and PLSS Preservation Committees received the prestigious Catalyst Award at the National States Geographic Information Council's (NSGIC) annual conference. This award honors their outstanding work in securing funding and creating Minnesota’s statewide PLSS Monument Grant Program.

Minnesota IT Services Deputy Commissioner Jon Eichten praised the achievement: “The Minnesota Geospatial Advisory Council’s PLSS Legislative Subcommittee and Preservation Committees have shown outstanding leadership in securing funding and helping create the statewide PLSS Monument Grant Program. Receiving the Catalyst Award from the National States Geographic Information Council is a well-deserved recognition of their innovative efforts.”

In May 2024, the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office (MnGeo) awarded $9.1 million in grants to 34 counties across Minnesota. The grants are being used to restore, maintain, and update PLSS markers and records, ensuring the long-term integrity of essential geospatial data. The program strengthens GIS data accuracy, supports informed decision-making, and enhances the state’s geospatial infrastructure.

Alison Slaats, Minnesota's Chief Geospatial Information Officer and MnGeo Director, added: “We are proud of the Minnesota Geospatial Advisory Council’s PLSS Subcommittees for receiving the Catalyst Award from NSGIC. This recognition highlights their dedication and collaboration in preserving critical geospatial infrastructure. The PLSS Monument Grant Program will greatly improve data accuracy and decision-making across Minnesota, and we’re excited to see its lasting impact.”

The PLSS Preservation Committee continues to advise the grant program implementation, ensuring effective use of funds. These committees remain dedicated to advancing their mission, with the PLSS Remonumentation Subcommittee currently working to secure permanent funding for the program.

This recognition by NSGIC underscores the tremendous collaboration between Minnesota’s land surveying and GIS communities. The state looks forward to the continued progress and success of the PLSS Monument Grant Program, which will leave a lasting impact on Minnesota’s geospatial landscape.

About Minnesota IT Services

Minnesota IT Services, led by the state’s Chief Information Officer, is the Information Technology agency for Minnesota’s executive branch, providing enterprise and local IT services to over 70 agencies, boards, and commissions. MNIT employs more than 2,700 people. Together, we build, maintain, and secure the State’s IT infrastructure, applications, projects, and services. MNIT sets IT strategy, direction, policies, and standards for enterprise IT leadership and planning. We also serve Minnesotans by connecting all 87 counties, 300 cities, and 200 public higher education campuses across the state on the MNET network. Through public-private partnerships, our team proactively protects the state’s information systems and the private data of 5.7 million Minnesotans. 

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