what we do
Our Services
DICE provides counties, cities, villages, and townships in Southwest Michigan with affordable digital services that simplify operations and improve public access. From AI-powered automation and shared productivity apps to modern websites, zoning tools, and ordinance codification, we build practical solutions that save staff time, cut costs, and strengthen transparency. Every tool is shared, scalable, and designed to serve communities of every size.
AI & Workflow Automation
Augmenting capabilities, increasing efficiencies.
Data Analytics & GIS
Turning local data into actionable insight.
Digital Communications & Web Development
Clear, accessible, and AI-ready.
Simple apps that make government easier for staff and residents alike.
the proof
Saving Time & Money
Internal tracking in Van Buren County estimates…
We Saved
4,000+
Hours
&
50,000
Dollars
In Just
9
Months
Across multiple departments through a disciplined process of simplifying legacy workflows before applying targeted automation, AI, and digital tools.
The DICE Philosophy
If the “what” of DICE is tools and the “how” is service delivery, the “why” is a set of hard-earned beliefs about what government technology must be.
Here is how the DICE approach makes government work easier:
Subtraction Before Automation
Efficiency is simplifying first, then choosing the right tool.
Human-Centered, Not System-Centered
If a tool doesn’t save time or build trust, it has no value.
Consolidation Over Fragmentation
We replace vendor complexity with a single digital ecosystem.
Trust Is Earned, Not Installed
Branding is no substitute for logic, auditable systems, and human oversight.
Public Means Portable
Publicly funded work should be shareable and free from proprietary paywalls.
Ethics in AI
We treat bias and manipulation as concrete issues that require direct solutions.
Examples of Core Engagement Areas
Permit & Process Modernization
Our first step is always to question the process itself, identifying and eliminating redundant steps before we even map the workflow. Working with your team, we then co-design and implement streamlined digital workflows for permits, licenses, and internal approvals. The result is a system of simple intake forms, automated PDF generation, and shared dashboards to track progress.
Zoning & Land Use Support
DICE provides direct assistance to modernize zoning administration. Our team helps review ordinances, structure them for digital use, and deploys simple, map-based zoning viewers tailored to your jurisdiction. We then train your staff on AI-powered advisory tools that can answer common resident and developer questions, freeing up valuable time and improving public access to critical planning information.
AI & Automation Implementation
We embed our expertise to help you use AI safely and effectively. We train your staff on real-world applications, building automations for tasks like agenda preparation, FOIA request handling, and public notice generation. Every AI tool is built with a human-in-the-loop, ensuring your team has final review and control, extending their reach without sacrificing oversight.
Digital Comms & Web Support
For local governments lacking a dedicated communications staff, we act as a virtual communications director. We help launch clean, mobile-ready websites, manage newsletters and announcements, and create hosted microsites for specific initiatives. Our AI-assisted tools help draft content and schedule updates, ensuring your community stays informed without overburdening your staff. DICE plans to pilot resident-facing tools, such as citizen feedback portals to enhance public engagement and transparency.
Ordinance Codification & Digital Governance
We convert static, hard-to-search ordinances into structured, web-hosted, and AI-ready digital codes. This not only makes the code transparent and accessible but also creates a foundation for a suite of interconnected tools that work together to reduce administrative friction. We provide model policies and practical workshops on AI ethics and digital governance to ensure your leadership is equipped for the future.
Business Enablement & Economic Readiness
By modernizing zoning, permitting, and digital communications, DICE helps local governments become more accessible and responsive to the needs of entrepreneurs, developers, and employers. Every streamlined process is a signal of regional competence.
The MicroTool Approach
DICE builds solutions, not bloated platforms. We call them MicroTools, each one the simple, sustainable outcome of a deeper process of simplification. These modular digital services solve specific public-sector tasks without the overhead of enterprise software.
Developed Centrally
One development investment benefits the entire network.
Deployed Regionally
Shared costs make advanced tools accessible to jurisdictions of all sizes.
Adapted
Locally
Each tool is customized to specific ordinances, workflows, and local requirements.
Integrated Systematically
Tools work together to create a coherent digital ecosystem over time.
Fleet of MicroTools Deployed
Each of these tools represents a tangible process that was simplified, streamlined, and then rebuilt for maximum efficiency.
This represents working infrastructure, and the model is ready to scale.
Tax Address Change
Workflow
FOIA Intake and
Routing
HR Personnel Action Form Automation
AI Training
Modules
Zoning Viewer Prototypes & Ordinance Q&A Bots
Faq
Addressing Key Challenges & Critical Considerations
DICE is committed to transparency, continuous improvement, and thoughtful anticipation of the challenges inherent in public-sector innovation. The following considerations represent critical feedback and potential questions anticipated from funders, partners, and stakeholders. By addressing these proactively, we demonstrate not only awareness of potential obstacles but a clear and actionable path forward.
We recognize that regional infrastructure cannot depend on single points of expertise. To ensure our mission persists, we are building a “human-plus-AI” resilience model. This includes cross-training our team to eliminate bottlenecks and leveraging AI as a force multiplier to handle routine tasks, allowing our core staff to focus on strategic problem-solving. Furthermore, we have formalized leadership succession plans, led by our Deputy Director, Dr. Drake Olejniczak, and are documenting all institutional knowledge and decision rationales. Our growth is phased and deliberate, with a staffing roadmap that targets specific hires in AI support and training by 2027 to match increasing demand.
Transparency is our baseline. We maintain auditable records comparing manual workflows against automated results, and we validate these figures through independent third-party evaluators like Western Michigan University and the Upjohn Institute. To ensure our solutions are “future-proof,” we strictly adhere to open-source technologies and open standards, preventing vendor lock-in and technical debt. While many of our institutional partnerships began as exploratory, we are actively formalizing these through Letters of Intent and MOUs to solidify the long-term viability and depth of our collaborative network.
Operating a hybrid interlocal/nonprofit model requires extreme clarity. We define all roles, decision-making processes, and conflict resolution procedures within foundational agreements to ensure accountability. This structural transparency extends to our finances, where we utilize tiered pricing models and diversified revenue streams to remain accessible to smaller jurisdictions while building necessary reserves. Protecting the data within these jurisdictions is our highest priority; we implement cybersecurity protocols that exceed state standards, backed by regular penetration testing, comprehensive staff training, and robust cyber insurance coverage.
Modernization is as much a cultural challenge as a technical one. We use a structured change management approach that starts small: demonstrating value through low-risk, high-impact tools, to build trust with officials and staff. As we scale, we maintain quality through a standardized onboarding playbook (launching Q3 2026) and a tiered support system. By developing local “super-users” and regional support hubs, we empower jurisdictions to take ownership of their tools, ensuring that as the DICE network expands, the quality of service remains high and politically neutral.
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