Local Government Leaders Harnessing Innovation to Improve Communities: Insights from CivStart’s State of GovTech 2025 on The Business of Government Podcast

The latest episode of The Business of Government Hour features a powerful series of conversations with local government leaders, recorded live at CivStart's State of GovTech 2025 event. The episode highlights how municipalities are leveraging innovative technology to enhance services, engage communities, and drive economic growth. Here’s a breakdown of key interviews with government leaders making significant strides in digital transformation.

Intashan Chowdhury: Innovation at the Borough Level in Englewood Cliffs, NJ

The interview kicks off with Intashan Chowdhury, the Borough Administrator for Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Intashan shares his unique role in driving municipal innovation. He discusses the challenges and rewards of implementing emerging technologies in a smaller, resource-constrained environment. Chowdhury highlights his community’s success in launching voice AI technology, becoming one of the first municipalities in the country to do so, and its adoption across New Jersey. He also offers insights into his work on AI data centers and the potential of a technology innovation district aimed at attracting startups to his borough. Chowdhury emphasizes collaboration and community involvement, as well as his efforts to make AI and other tech accessible to all residents.

Susan Farber: Digital Transformation in Dubuque, Iowa

At minute 16:30, Susan Farber, City Council member from Dubuque, Iowa, discusses how the city is using digital transformation to address pressing local challenges. Farber highlights Dubuque's efforts to modernize traffic systems through AI and improve housing with a focus on data governance and AI applications. With a strong emphasis on transparency and public education, Farber is working to ensure that AI and other technologies are implemented in a way that benefits both residents and local government staff. Her work underscores the importance of addressing concerns around data privacy while building trust in new technologies.

Mayors Booker and Robinson: Community-Driven Innovation in Maywood, IL and Lake City, SC

The episode continues with Mayors Nathaniel Booker and Yamika Robinson, who represent the cities of Maywood, IL, and Lake City, SC. Both leaders share how they are tackling housing and community development challenges with technology. Mayor Booker introduces the Healthy Homes Initiative in Maywood, which uses AI and other tools to address housing issues and improve the quality of life for residents. Mayor Robinson from Lake City elaborates on her city’s efforts to implement the Find Help platform, a tool designed to provide residents with easy access to community resources. Both mayors stress the importance of community engagement and technology's role in creating more equitable solutions.

Desmond Wilson: Enhancing Healthy Housing with Technology in Montgomery, AL

In the final segment, Desmond Wilson, Director of Community Engagement for Montgomery, AL, shares how his city is leveraging AI to improve housing conditions and community health. Wilson explains the impact of poor housing on residents' well-being and how Montgomery is using data to provide targeted solutions. He talks about his work with the National League of Cities’ Healthy Housing Innovation Cohort (HHIC), where Montgomery is working on tech-driven approaches to improve housing standards in low-income areas. Wilson also discusses the importance of AI in helping local governments become more efficient and how AI tools can support staff in answering repetitive queries, saving time, and increasing productivity.

Throughout these interviews, the common thread is the drive for innovation and community empowerment. The leaders featured in this episode are not just embracing technology for efficiency; they are ensuring that technology meets the real needs of their residents, creates value, and enhances the quality of life. The episode provides a glimpse into the future of local governance, where technology and leadership converge to deliver impactful solutions.

You can listen to the full episode of The Business of Government Hour on the Federal News Network here: The State of GovTech 2025 Podcast.