Montgomery relaunches open data portal to boost transparency and community engagement

Montgomery Mayor Reed highlighted the city’s commitment to community investment and transparency during a media briefing on April 1, 2025. Central to the discussion was the relaunch of the city’s open data portal, a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the Bloomberg City Data Alliance and the Harvard City Leadership Initiative, allows residents and businesses to access real-time data on city operations, from permitting to policing.

Mayor Reed emphasized that transparency is essential for building trust between the government and the community. “When people can see how their government is performing, they believe in their government,” he stated, urging city councilors to promote the portal at neighborhood meetings.

The briefing also addressed economic growth strategies, particularly in light of current challenges. Mayor Reed announced the recent hosting of the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility’s regional summit in Montgomery, which brought together over 100 stakeholders to discuss economic mobility and the importance of supporting small businesses and housing initiatives. He noted that the city is adding new homes for working families for the first time in over a decade, aiming to create a more inclusive economic environment.

Reed concluded by reinforcing Montgomery’s potential as a model for other cities, stating, “We are choosing action over apathy. We are choosing equity over excuses.” The mayor expressed gratitude to community partners and the press for their roles in fostering progress, emphasizing that building a city that works for everyone requires collective effort and time.