Economic Developer or Indiana Jones: The Quest for Infrastructure Data

It's 4:45 PM on a Friday when the RFI hits your inbox like a ton of bricks: "Please provide detailed water line specifications."

Your weekend plans flash before your eyes as you realize you're about to embark on the worst scavenger hunt ever.

The Traditional Methods: The Path to Madness

The harder you need water line data, the more impossible it becomes to find.

You can dial the local water department, navigate through an endless phone tree that seems designed by a sadistic maze architect, and finally leave a message.

Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish, 3 to be transferred to someone's voicemail who retired in 2019, or 4 to start this whole process over again.

Then you wait, and wait some more. Your phone becomes your best friend as you hope for that callback that might come tomorrow, next week, or during your vacation – usually right after your first piña colada.

Pro Tip: The Coffee Run Strategy

Nothing says "I need this data desperately" quite like showing up with a carrier full of fancy coffee.

But even if you show up with coffee, your results may vary - you might just end up with an over-caffeinated utilities department.

The Archaeological Dig: Searching the Archives

This method involves channeling your inner Indiana Jones as you venture into the dusty archives of your office.

Those plans from 1980? They're probably filed under "Miscellaneous" or in that ominous drawer labeled "To Be Filed" that hasn't seen daylight since the Reagan administration.

Your office's filing system appears to have been organized by a randomizer algorithm powered by chaos theory. And if you do find the documents, the crucial information is usually hidden under a coffee stain that's old enough to vote.

Bonus points if you find Jimmy Hoffa while you're digging through those files.

The LinkedIn Detective

When desperation sets in, you find yourself messaging anyone who's ever worked at the water department since 1975. "Hi! I noticed you worked at City Utilities in 1983. Would you happen to remember the water line specifications for 123 Main Street?"

(I've actually done this. Their response: "Yes, I remember the water line! It was definitely... wet.")

The Manual Approach: Getting Your Hands Dirty

When all else fails, there's always the tried-and-true method of physical investigation: grab a shovel.

Say goodbye to your clean clothes, and start digging. This method comes with the added excitement of potentially finding other surprises underground – though hopefully not any unmarked utilities!

Nothing says "economic development professional" quite like explaining to your board why you're covered in mud and six feet underground during a Zoom call.

Reality Check

Let's be honest: In the time you spent looking for that water line data, you could have:

• Downloaded and deleted Duolingo seven times;
• Memorized all the lyrics to Taylor Swift's entire discography;
• Started and finished a PhD;
• Bought and killed several generations of office plants;
• Attended enough ribbon cuttings to wallpaper your office

The Modern Solution: Sitehunt

Here's the good news: There's a modern solution that doesn't require archaeology degrees or coffee bribes. Sitehunt brings water line data (and so much more) right to your fingertips.

Here's what Sitehunt revealed in seconds:

• Water line diameter: 8 inches
• Material: PVC
• Length: 360 feet across the site
• Comprehensive details about surrounding water infrastructure

The Future of Infrastructure Data

Stop turning your economic development office into a re-enactment of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Leave the treasure hunting to Dr. Jones and his fedora, and let Sitehunt do the heavy lifting.

Sitehunt represents a new era in site analysis, one where crucial data is accessible, accurate, and immediate. Your EDO can leverage this technology to streamline processes, save time, and respond to RFIs faster than ever before.

Transform Your Data Quest Today

It's time to upgrade from archaeology to technology.

No Indiana Jones tactics needed. Instead, you get:

• Comprehensive infrastructure data and thousands of other data points.
• No more coffee bribes, archive diving, or digging in the mud.
• Your weekends back.

Take Action Now

Ready to leave the archaeology to Indiana Jones? See how Sitehunt can transform your workflow: reach out to Dane and schedule your 30-minute demo today.