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Thirteen of NIC?s State Partners Receive National Recognition as Best eGovernment Web sites and Online Services

^{Published on 2009-01-19 07:47:11, Last Modified on 2009-11-02 16:04:58 - Market Wire}
 

OLATHE, Kan.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--The nation's largest eGovernment services provider, NIC (NASDAQ: EGOV), saw its state partners take top honors in the acclaimed Best of the Web and Digital Government Achievement Awards as selected by The Center for Digital Government, an international research and advisory institute on the use of information technology in government.

In the Best of the Web, four NIC partners placed in the top five, another three NIC partners took finalist honors, and one partner was recognized with a special award. In the Digital Achievement Awards, five NIC partners won national recognition.

"The Center for Digital Government recognizes those state and local governments that bring innovative new Web-based services to the public," said Cathilea Robinett, Executive Vice President of the Center for Digital Government. "The 21 state partners of NIC are part of a community that shares best practices, which is one reason they are able to deliver leading and award-winning eGovernment services."

Now in its 12th year, Best of the Web evaluates government Web sites based on their innovation, Web-based delivery of public services, efficiency, economy, and functionality. Representatives from the Center for Digital Government and officials from the 2007 Best of the Web-winning state and local governments served as judges for the 2008 competition.

First place: Virginia ([ http://www.Virginia.gov ])

Second place: Maine ([ http://www.Maine.gov ])

Fifth place: Alabama ([ http://www.Alabama.gov ]) and Rhode Island ([ http://www.RI.gov ])

NIC's partners also won three of the five finalist honors, including Arkansas ([ http://www.Arkansas.gov ]), Colorado ([ http://www.Colorado.gov ]), and Nebraska ([ http://www.Nebraska.gov ]).

West Virginia ([ http://www.WV.gov ]) was honored with a special award for its education portal.

"To be recognized by the Center for Digital Government means you are acknowledged as the best by the leading authority in government information technology. These national awards underscore what we see from our partners every day – a continued commitment to find new ways to better serve the businesses and citizens of their states," said Harry Herington, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of NIC. "Even in these tough economic times, what businesses and citizens demand from government is not wavering and one way NIC's partners tackle this challenge is by offering new and innovative government services that are now recognized as some of the best in the country."

The Center for Digital Government also awarded its 2008 Digital Government Achievement Awards. This national program recognizes outstanding agency and department Web sites and applications that enhance information interactions, transactions, or services.

In the government to business category, the Montana Department of Justice won for its gambling control suite of services ([ http://www.doj.mt.gov/gaming/compulsivegambling.asp ]).

Under the government-to-citizen category, the Idaho won for PayPort ([ http://idaho.gov/payport/ ]), a secure payment system that enables businesses to sell items and accept donations or payments via the Web. The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles won for its driver license reinstatement service ([ https://www.nebraska.gov/dmv/reinstatements/client.cgi ]).

In the government-to-government category, Kentucky won for its No Pass/No Drive driver license status system for students ([ http://transportation.ky.gov/drlic/ ]). Maine earned an honorable mention for its Motor Vehicle Municipal Transfer System ([ http://www.maine.gov/informe/municipal/mdts-details.htm ]).

About NIC

NIC is the nation's leading provider of official government portals, online services, and secure payment processing solutions. The company's innovative eGovernment services help reduce costs and increase efficiencies for government agencies, citizens, and businesses across the country. NIC provides eGovernment solutions for 2,900 federal, state, and local agencies that serve more than 70 million people in the United States. Additional information is available at [ http://www.nicusa.com ].