VGIN was established in 1997 in Virginia Code to “foster the creative utilization of geographic information and oversee the development of a catalog of GIS data available in the Commonwealth”. Some of the core functions of VGIN are:
• Develop & recommend policies & guidelines required to support state and local government exchange, acquisition, storage, use, sharing and distribution of geographic or base map data and related technologies
• Compile a data catalog consisting of descriptions of GIS coverages maintained by individual state and local government agencies
• Setting priorities for the development of state digital geographic data and base maps that meet the needs of state agencies, institutions of higher education, and local governments
• Provide services, geographic data products, and access to the repository at rates established by the Division
Source: Virginia Code § 2.2-2026 and § 2.2-2027