Share the cost of acquiring expensive data (e.g. digital orthophotography) or software. Together we can get data that we would otherwise not have. Members receive generous discounts on ESRI software through a Master Purchase Agreement. Many agencies use the same types of data - avoid wasting time and money capturing data that an agency already has. All data can be in standard format of known quality (we follow FGDC standards whenever possible). Also, many eyes viewing data improves error checking/quality control. Joint problem solving - seek a best solution to common problems. Problems often cross jurisdictional boundaries. Team up to solve them. Share expertise among colleagues - integrate "best practices" into your organizational operations. Share costs of building applications that many agencies will use. Sharing a State of the Art GIS offers efficiencies in data capture, access, analysis and display.